Local Transmission of COVID-19 UK Variant in Bontoc, Confirmed by DOH
Recent reports said that the Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the local transmission of the United Kingdom (UK) COVID-19 variant in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The Philippine Information Agency, the official public information arm of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, told on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, that the DOH has confirmed “local transmission in Bontoc of the B117 variant of SARS-CoV-2 as identified through genomic sequencing.”
However, in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), the health department stated that there is still no “strong evidence” proving the presence of community transmission.
Based on a report published by the PTV, community transmission will only be declared if the report cases reach a large number, case clusters are recorded in other areas, and that if the infection cannot be coordinated with the sources.
“To date, all identified cases with the UK variant can be epidemiologically linked to cases coming directly from outside the country (importation) or from specific cases or exposures that can still be identified (local transmission),” the health department added.
Related Article:
The UK COVID-19 Variant is Now in PH, DOH Officially Confirmed
Say of DOH Cordillera
Source: Department of Health – Cordillera| Facebook Page
Furthermore, via a Press Conference which went live through the Department of Health – Cordillera Facebook page on January 23, 2021, DOH Cordillera Director Ruby Constantino, said, “Current evidence suggest that this variant have 70% higher transmissibility but there is no definite indication that it is more deadly. So we lack scientific evidence according to our experts regarding the virulence of this new variant.”
Constantino also pointed out that what happened in the Mountain Province is not yet considered as community transmission.
“So far, based on the surveillance, what happened in Mountain Province belong to one cluster. Considering that investigations are still ongoing, it is still premature to consider that there’s already a community transmission of the new strain of virus in the country,” stated DOH Cordillera Director.
She also added that “it doesn’t mean that it is not there.” According to her, “efforts are still ongoing to continue to look into possible evidences of community transmission.”
Related Article:
Local Case of UK Variant Detected in La Trinidad
Watch the Press Conference with DOH Cordillera Director
Related Article:
Contact Tracing Reveals Some Cases in Baguio Shows Potential Links to UK Variant Cases in Bontoc and LT
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Source: PTV, CNN, DOH, DOH Cordillera, Philippine Information Agency
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