Zamboanga City detects 51 South Africa variant cases, 1 of P.3 variant

Zamboanga City has confirmed 51 cases of the B.1.351 COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa and one case of the P.3 variant first detected in the Philippines, Mayor Beng Climaco said Monday.

Climaco said the Department of Health and Philippine Genome Center conducted genome sequencing on 257 samples.

"Out of the 52 cases of variants of concern, 37 have fully recovered while 15 have expired. Some of those who expired had comorbidities," said Climaco in a statement.

Of the 52 cases of variants of concern, Climaco said 37 recovered while 15 died.

"Some of those who expired had comorbidities," she noted.

"The DOH IX has gathered more samples for genomic bio-surveillance among local cases including reported cases or reinfections and clustering of cases or deaths," she added.

Climaco also said that the government is ramping up its contact tracing activities to immediately treat and isolate COVID-19 cases in the locality.

Since the South Africa variant is more contagious, Climaco reminded residents of strict compliance with health standards including "wearing of face mask and face shield, washing/ sanitizing hands and maintaining physical distance." — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News