THE first two cases of the Omicron BA.5 variant has been detected in the country said the Department of Health said Friday.
The two patients from the same household in Central Luzon had no travel history except to their polling precinct in Metro Manila, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Vergeire said the pair immediately isolated on May 16, a day after experiencing cough and colds. They finished their isolation period on May 30 and are now asymptomatic and tagged as recovered, she added.
“Maliban sa pagpunta sa election precinct dito sa NCR, wala pong travel history ang dalawang indibidwal,” Vergeire told reporters.
“Makikitang hindi kritikal at malubha ang mga panibagong variants at halos pareho lamang ang characteristics ng BA.5 at BA.4 kaya gagana pa rin ang ating health protocols at health measures.”
The patients had 2 close contacts, who were members of their household and continue to isolate after one of them tested positive for the virus, Vergeire said.
The sample from the COVID-positive close contact has yet to be genome sequenced, she added.
The Philippines last month reported its first omicron BA.4 subvariant in a returning Filipino from the Middle East and have so far reported 22 cases of the Omicron BA.2.12.1 subvariant.
