DOH says Philippines 'well-prepared' for Omicron variant
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is “well-prepared” to combat the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is threatening health systems overseas, the Department of Health said Tuesday.
The Philippines has so far detected four cases of the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant—all among international arrivals.
“Right now with this Omicron variant, I think we are well-prepared than before,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
“What will be the most critical factor right now would be a lot of our citizens are vaccinated now compared to when we’re having the Delta variant…Right now were are preparing. Hopefully, we are able to manage this increase in the number of cases if ever Omicron enters our communities,” she added.
Early studies suggest the Omicron variant is more infectious than the already transmissible Delta variant, which caused a devastating surge in the Philippines from August to September.
The country is seeing an increase in new COVID-19 cases amid the holiday season.
Husband of Omicron case tests positive
Vergeire also reported that the husband of the country’s fourth Omicron variant case tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation.
“We have already collected the sample from the husband and we’re going to subject it to genome sequencing as well,” she said.
The close contacts of the couple at home are also isolated.
The couple arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on December 10 from the United States.
“Both wife and husband were tested on the same day and isolated upon release of positive result. After a 10-day isolation, both were discharged asymptomatic. They will be retested based on existing protocols,” Vergeire told reporters. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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