DOH to check HK flight manifest after traveler found to have coronavirus variant

The Department of Health (DOH) has started coordinating with Hong Kong officials following the report that a traveler from the Philippines has tested positive for the UK variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"We have initiated coordination already with the IHR (International Health Regulations) Focal Point of HK to request further details," DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.

She added that the agency is also in the process of retrieving the flight manifest for the identified the Hong Kong-bound flight.

"We will be informing as soon as we get complete information," said Vergeire.

The health official is referring to the announcement of the Communicable Disease Branch of Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection head that a passenger from the Philippines arrived in Hong Kong on board Philippine Airlines flight PR300 on December 22 tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19.

"The UK variant originated back in September as the people have been flying around. We anticipated that it will appear in other countries," said Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan.

"We found them in the France or Philippines  returnees and these are anticipated. Clearly, we are implementing stringent measures... For example, quarantine for 21 days at designated hotels," she added.

The new variant of the novel coronavirus does not appear to cause more severe illness than other variants but it can spread rapidly, according to a matched study by Public Health England. —BAP/KG, GMA News