Omicron sub-variant in HK may enter Philippines, says Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday that the Omicron sub-variant affecting Hong Kong might find its way into the Philippines.

Duque made the remark when President Rodrigo Duterte asked about the possibility the BA.2.2 sub-variant will "visit" the country.

"There is a possibility, Mr. President," Duque said on Wednesday's Talk to the People.

However, Duque said he was unsure whether the sub-variant will greatly affect the country as the previous surge was due to the BA.2 variant.

"So hindi pa natin masabi kung ito ho ba ay magdudulot ng ganong ka seryosong pangyayari katulad sa Hong Kong" (We can't also say if its effect will be as serious as it is in Hong Kong), Duque added.

Further, Duque assured the public that the country's vaccination rate is higher compared to Hong Kong's, especially among senior citizens, as some researchers have attributed the increase in cases in the other countries to low vaccination rate. 

"On the other hand, 'yun po kasing vaccination coverage ng citizens sa Hong Kong mababa... so tayo mas maganda ang ating protection level," he said.

(On the other hand, their vaccination coverage is low... we have a better protection level.)

"We have experienced five surges... so that has also rendered out population some degree of protection as well. So from natural immunity and also from vaccination," he added.

Duque said the vaccination rate of seniors in Hong Kong was only at 33%.

The Heath secretary said the agency continues to monitor the situation.

"Sa ngayon... wala pang natutuklasan na BA.2.2 sublineage sa samples na nasequence ng Philippine Genome Center sa ating bansa, pero patuloy tayo nagbabantay," he said. —LBG, GMA News