THE Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines – Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) today announced that there were two cases detected with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern in the country.
According to the DOH, the two cases were detected among 48 samples sequenced by the PGC yesterday, December 14, 2021.
Aside from the two Omicron cases, there were also 33 cases positive with the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant while 13 cases did not exhibit any lineage.
The latest sequencing run conducted is composed of samples taken from 21 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), one foreign national, and 26 other local cases coming from areas with case clusters.
The two Omicron variant cases were detected among incoming travelers, who are now isolated in a facility managed and supervised by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
One is a 48-year-old male Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) who arrived in the country from Japan last December 1, 2021 via Philippine Airlines Flight Number PR 0427.
The sample was collected from the ROF last December 5, 2021, with the positive result released last December 7. The ROF was admitted on the same day at the BOQ isolation facility.
He is currently asymptomatic but with symptoms of colds and cough upon arrival in the country.
The other case, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, came to the country from Nigeria last November 30, 2021 via Oman Air with Flight Number WY 843.
The sample was collected last December 6, 2021 and the positive result also came out on December 7. The Nigerian national was admitted and isolated in the same BOQ isolation facility on the same date and is currently asymptomatic.
The DOH is already making efforts to determine the possible close contacts of the two cases among their co-passengers on the said flights.
The DOH is also verifying the results of the tests and the health status of the passengers of the two flights to determine if there are other confirmed cases or passengers who may become after their arrival.
Travelers who arrived in the Philippines in the two flights can call the DOH COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or through their respective local government units to report their status.