DOH logs 467 new cases of Omicron subvariants

The Department of Health (DOH) logged 467 additional cases of Omicron subvariants in the country based on the latest sequencing result from  September 5 to 7.

Based on the data released by the DOH on Friday, at least 425 cases of BA.5 Omicron subvariant have been detected.

Of these cases, 214 came from Western Visayas, 146 from Davao Region, 21 from Soccsksargen, 19 from Calabarzon, nine from National Capital Region (NCR) seven from Central Visayas, five from Central Luzon, two from Northern Mindanao, and one each from BARMM and Caraga.

The Health department also logged 10 new cases of BA.4, of which seven came from Central Visayas, two from Soccsksargen, and one from Northern Mindanao.

Meanwhile, one individual from the Davao Region tested positive for the BA.2.75 variant.

The DOH said at least six cases from “other sublineages” were also detected.

It added that 25 cases from “no assigned lineage” were also recorded.

The BA.4 and BA.5 were added to the World Health Organization's monitoring list in March and designated as variants of concern by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante earlier said that BA.2.75 may be more transmissible  compared to other subvariants and may have the capability to evade current COVID-19 vaccines.

This was also echoed by DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, but pointed out that there are no studies yet showing that the BA.2.75 may cause severe diseases.

The Philippines on Thursday monitored an increase in daily COVID-19 tally with 2,404 new infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,898,882.—LDF, GMA News