No case of the Omicron variant has been detected from the latest 48 samples sequenced on Dec. 8, the Department of Health reported.
Of the samples sequenced, 38 or 79.17 percent were Delta variant cases while the rest had non-variant of concern lineages or had no lineages detected.
The latest sequencing run was composed of 12 returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and 36 local cases from areas with high-risk average daily attack rates and case clusters.
Of the additional 38 Delta variant cases, 31 were local cases and seven were ROFs.
Two ROFs had travel histories from Turkey and one ROF each from Jordan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, and Peru.
Of the 31 local cases, six cases had indicated addresses in Cagayan Valley Region, while five cases were from the Cordillera Administrative Region, three cases each from Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and the National Capital Region, two cases each from Central Luzon and Calabarzon, and one case from Davao Region.
Based on the case line list, one local case is still active, 27 local and all seven ROF cases have been tagged as recovered, and three local cases are currently being verified as to their outcomes.
All other details are being validated by the regional and local health offices.
The latest report on whole genome sequencing update brings the total Delta variant cases to 7,886.
Meantime, the Philippine National Police has echoed the Department of Health recommendation not to downgrade the existing Covid-19 alert level status due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant.
“The time isn’t ripe yet since it’s the holiday season and we have observed more people becoming complacent to go outdoors, disregarding health protocol, and unmindful of the risks,” PNP Chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos said.
Carlos said a shift to a more lenient protocol can impact the adherence to the minimum health standards, despite the downward trend in new Covid-19 cases.– Press release
