No Omicron XE detected in the Philippines yet — DOH’s Vergeire

Published April 19, 2022 09:57 AM By GISELLE OMBAY,GMA News

The Philippines has not yet detected the “Omicron XE” or the recombinant of two sub-lineages of the more transmissible Omicron variant, the Department of Health said Tuesday.

In a radio interview, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are constantly monitoring and keeping an eye on whether the Omicron XE will enter the country.

“Sa ngayon wala pa naman tayong nadedetect na XE variant dito sa ating bansa. Itong XE variant naman ay mga tatlo o apat na bansa pa lang ang nakakadetect ng ganitong klaseng variant,” she said.

(So far, we have not detected an XE variant in our country. Only about three or four countries have detected this type of variant.)

Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana earlier explained that the Omicron XE is “more concerning” compared to other Omicron sub-variants

because of its transmissibility, but it might not be more severe or affect the efficacy of the current vaccines available.

Vaccine Expert Panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante also attested to this, saying that the current vaccines could be seen working against the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron sub-variants.

Meanwhile, Philippine College of Physicians resident Dr. Maricar Limpin previously raised alarm that possible entry into the Philippines of Omicron XE and the low rate of booster shot coverage of Filipinos may lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases in May.

Both the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines have already warned that the country may experience another surge in COVID-19 infections by mid-May if the minimum public health standards (MPHS) are ignored. — RSJ, GMA News

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