COVID-19 surge possible with immune-escaping variant, waning immunity from vaccine — DOH exec

Another COVID-19 surge is possible if a new immune-escaping variant of the coronavirus enters the country and the immunity of the vaccinated people wanes, an official of the Department of Health said Thursday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, DOH Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr. Alethea de Guzman was asked if the BA.2.12.1 variant, which has been detected in 17 people in the country, could lead to a surge.

“Kung, number one, may papasok ngang bagong variant of concern na mas transmissible at tinatawag nating immune-escaping, meaning yung epekto ng bakuna ay mas mababa,” she said.

(If, number one, a new variant of concern that is more transmissible and immune escaping, which means the vaccine is least effective, enters the country.)

“At kung ang ating immunity wall dala ng full vaccination or boosters ay bababa, yun ang magiging dahilan para bigla at magkaroon tayo ng mataas na dami na naman ng kaso at admissions,” she added.

(And if our immunity wall brought by full vaccination or booster shots declines, that would be the cause for a sudden increase in cases and admissions.)

According to De Guzman, the BA.2.12.1 variant is 20% to 27% more transmissible and also immune-escaping.

She said there were some areas in the countries that reported an increase in COVID-19 cases in the previous months but they are not sustained.

On Wednesday, the Philippines reported  the lowest number of daily new COVID-19 cases since April 2020 with 103 new infections, which brings the nationwide caseload to 3,688,100.

The country’s active case count also dropped to 2,241 the lowest reported so far this year. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News