DOH still studying link between blood types, severity of COVID-19 infection

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it is still verifying claims from studies abroad that suggest links between blood types and the severity of COVID-19 infection.

"Mula nang lumabas ito sa mga artikulo saka mga experience from other countries, atin na pong kinakalap ang mga impormasyon tungkol dito," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual interview.

"Amin pong kinakalap muna ang maraming ebidensiya bago natin masabi kung ito talaga ay totoo o hindi," she added.

A study made by European researchers suggest that people with blood type A have higher risks of getting severe COVID-19

Vergeire said that once backed with sufficient evidence, blood types may be considered in the prioritization for the expanded COVID-19 testing.

"Kung saka-sakali magkaroon ng ebidensiya na itong sinasabing blood types na sinasabing high risk for getting COVID ay mapapatunayan, maaring maisama natin ito sa ating expanded protocol for testing," she said.

Currently, health workers and vulnerable population—including the elderly and immunocompromised—are being prioritized for COVID-19 testing in the country.

As of June 17, a total of 509,519 individuals took the test. The DOH said it targets to cover 1.5% of the 110 million Filipino population by the end of July.—AOL, GMA News