DOH: 85.9% Omicron variant detected in the latest genome sequencing report

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said at least 85.9% were found positive for the Omicron COVID-19 variant based on the latest genome sequencing report.

During a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they excluded samples from last year in the latest genome sequencing result on March 18 as they were already outdated.

“From the recent run itong March 18 na lumabas, tinanggal natin yung mga nakuha (we excluded) from last year because they were outdated already although we keep note on that,” Vergeire said.

“From January to March 2022 these are 568 samples and of these 568 samples, 85.9% were positive for the Omicron variant and only 0.18% or only one was positive for Delta variant so that is the most recent sequencing result,” she added.

The DOH earlier reported that it had not yet detected the hybrid coronavirus mutation "Deltacron" in the country, and that safeguards and surveillance systems were in place amid the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in Israel.

Experts said that Deltacron, reportedly discovered in a Cyprus laboratory, was most likely the result of a laboratory contamination and not a new worrying variant.

Latest vaccination, case figures

Meanwhile, Vergeire also reported that more than 65.2 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while more than 70.4 million individuals received their first dose as of March 21.

She said that around 11.6 million individuals, on the other hand, are already boosted against the viral disease.

The Philippines on Monday recorded a total of 3,572 new COVID-19 cases from March 14 to March 20, 13% lower than the cases reported last week.

There were also 415 new cases logged, the DOH said in a later update, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,674,694. — RSJ, GMA News