DOH: Nothing to fear over new COVID-19 variant

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has allayed fears over the new COVID-19 variant XEC that is causing a spike in cases of the affliction in Germany.

Health Assistant Secretary and spokesman Albert Domingo said there is no spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide and the XEC variant has not been detected in the country at this time.

“We can assure (the public) that there is nothing to fear,” Domingo said yesterday in a radio interview.

Domingo, however, said it is also possible that the variant has already entered the country, but it is not causing a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The new XEC variant, he said, was discovered in Germany in August and has evolved from the JN.1 variant. It now comprises 13 percent of all COVID-19 cases there.

Domingo added that experts have not seen evidence that XEC can cause severe infection.

He also said that cases of influenza-like illness nationwide remain low.

Flu symptoms, he added, are common nowadays because of the cold weather.

Domingo said that one can opt to voluntarily use a face mask as a preventive measure.