350 out of 480 recovered from COVID-19 variants, says DOH

Among the 480 COVID-19 cases carrying new coronavirus variants, 350 have recovered from the respiratory illness while 10 have died, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

According to DOH data as of March 19, six of the fatalities had the B.1.1.7 (UK variant) and four had the B.1.351 (South Africa variant).

No fatalities have been recorded yet among patients with the P.1 (Brazil variant) and P.3, the variant first reported in the Philippines.

Out of the 350 recoveries, 167 had the B.1.1.7, 86 had the B.1.351, one had the P.1, while 96 had the P.3 variant.

A total of 118 cases remain active while the status of two other cases is still being verified.

The B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 possess mutations linked to either increased transmissibility or immune escape, which can possibly lead to lowered vaccine efficacy.

While experts have said that it is natural for viruses to mutate, they also stressed that COVID-19 transmission must be kept low to avoid further mutations.

Locations

Earlier in the day, the DOH reported that the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants are now present in all cities in Metro Manila.

DOH data showed that 76 Metro Manila residents had the B.1.1.7 variant and 105 had the B.1.351.

Sixteen others in the capital region were found to have the P.3 variant.

Among returning overseas Filipinos, 78 had the B.1.1.7 and six had the B.1.351.

In the Cordillera region, 41 cases were found to have the B.1.1.7 variant and one had the P.3.

Meanwhile, Central Visayas has logged the highest number of P.3 cases at 68.

The Philippines so far has 223 B.1.1.7 cases, 152 B.1.351 cases, one P.1 case, and 104 P.3 cases.

The country continues to see an uptick in COVID-19 infections, logging a record-high 8,019 new cases on Monday that brought the national tally to 671,792 with 577,850 recoveries and 12,972 deaths. -NB, GMA News