First case of B.1.617.1 variant in Philippines detected in Pampanga

The first case of B.1.617.1 variant of the coronavirus in the country has been detected in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.

In a press conference, Vergeire said the coronavirus variant formerly known as Kappa is currently classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization.

“The first case of the B.1.617.1 variant is a local case from in Floridablanca, Pampanga. The case is a 32-year-old male that had mild disease severity  and tagged as recovered,” she said.

During the time of collection of the sample in June, the variant was still considered as a variant of interest by the WHO.

“Further investigation is being done by our regional epidemiology and surveillance unit in order to gather more information on this case, and there is strict monitoring of this case in the community,” she said.

This variant is most common in India at 69%.—AOL, GMA News