Duque: No transmission of India variant in 2 OFWs before detection

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said the COVID-19 India variant in two OFWs had not been passed on further prior to its detection, citing strict border protocols being implemented.

“Our border control is very strict ... that is why we are able to quarantine them because we comply with the isolation, testing, quarantine protocols," Duque said in an ANC interview when asked if he was sure that the India variant was not transmitted prior to detection.

“It’s impossible that they had exposed others without our authorities knowing [it]," Duque pointed out.

Likewise, he said he will “certainly recommend” stricter border control for passengers from countries in the Middle East, subject to the recommendations of the World Health Organization representative in the Philippines.

Further, Duque said he will seek WHO’s advice on expanding the travel ban to countries where the India variant was detected.

“We are able to implement an intensified border control, our quarantine and isolation protocols have been followed. We are able to detect these cases plus, of course, our heightened bio-surveillance and improved genomic sequencing,” he added.

Duque maintained that all variants are cause of concern in the Philippines.

On Tuesday, the Philippines reported the detection of the B.1.617 coronavirus variant first discovered in India, following its classification as a “variant of concern” by the WHO.

Earlier, the DOH reported that the India variant was detected from two overseas Filipino workers with no travel to India. They are now asymptomatic after recovering from COVID-19.

Also on Tuesday, the DOH disclosed additional cases of the coronavirus variants first discovered in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) and South Africa (B.1.351) as well as the detection of the variant from India (B.1.617).

Genome sequencing of 46 samples has yielded 23 new cases of B.1.351, four more B.1.1.7 cases, and two B.1.617 cases.

It said the B.1.1.7 variant has already been detected in 12 regions, with 358 cases in pandemic epicenter Metro Manila and 145 cases in Calabarzon.

The B.1.351 variant has also been detected in 15 regions, with Metro Manila having 602 cases and Calabarzon having 121 cases. —LBG, GMA News