The Department of Health (DOH) said that no UK variant of COVID-19 was detected in the latest batch of samples that were subjected to genome sequencing.
“[T]he DOH reports that the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) was able to sequence only 48 samples for the fourth batch of sequencing, and none of which was positive for the B.1.1.7 variant,” the DOH said in a statement.
Of the 48 samples sequenced, 23 were from the NCR, 19 from CALABARZON, four from the Cordillera Region, and two were from returning overseas Filipinos, the statement added.
The agency also noted that seven of the total 48 samples have already recovered, while the rest were either asymptomatic or mild symptoms.
Another batch of 48 samples will undergo genome sequencing this week by the PGC.
Despite having found no traces of the B.1.1.7 or UK variant in the latest samples, the DOH still advised Filipinos to strictly follow minimum health standards.
“While no new cases have been detected, the DOH reiterates that the minimum public health standards remain the best precautionary measure against COVID-19 infection regardless of the variant,” the statement noted.