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The variant carrying the two Covid-19 virus protein mutations in central Visayas was found to be indigenous to the country.
The so-called Philippine variant, or P.3, was detected in the more than 70 Covid-19 cases with “mutations of clinical interest” that were detected in the region in recent weeks.
Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, a member of the Interagency Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ Working Group on Emerging Variants, said that P.3 arose from B1128, the most common lineage of SARS-CoV-2 – severe Coronavirus 2 of the acute respiratory system: the virus that causes Covid-19.
B1128 also mutated from P.1 or the Brazilian variant, which is more infectious and could reinfect people previously diagnosed with Covid-19.
A study on P.3, written by Salvana and other members of the task force and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), is subject to peer review.
In the study, the authors said that the new SARS-CoV-2 lineage is characterized by the presence of the E484K, N501Y and P681H mutations in the spike protein of the virus.
“The importance of these mutations, particularly the combination of mutations in the spike and other regions of the viral genome, on the transmissibility, pathogenicity and immunogenicity of this emerging variant has not yet been studied,” the study noted.
Salvana said it remains to be tested whether P.3 is more transmissible and may decrease the vaccine’s effectiveness.
He added that the province of Cebu may have contained the new variant, with the latest genomic sequencing data showing stable numbers of those who had been infected with it.
“This confirms that our improved public health measures work against any variant, whether imported or homegrown. Genomic surveillance will continue and will continue to provide us with information about the emergence and entry of worrisome variants, ”Salvana said on social media.
In a previous press conference, the executive director of the PGC, Dr. Cynthia Saloma, allayed concerns that the P.1 variant had reached the country.
Dr. Eva María Cutiongco de la Paz, from the UP National Institutes of Health, added that B1128 could be considered as the source of the virus, where it came from a common ancestor with a characteristic mutation.
The discovery of P.3 follows projections that the National Capital Region or Metro Manila may have more than 4,000 new cases of Covid-19 if the current reproduction numbers (R0) are maintained until the end of the month.
4,578 new cases were registered on Friday, the biggest jump in six months.
The previous single-day record was 4,674 cases on September 14, 2020.
The total number of cases reached 611,618, and the 52,012 active cases are the highest since October 9.
2020.
Recoveries totaled 546,912 and deaths were 12,694.
In its latest report, Octa Research, an academic group that tracks the pandemic in the country, said Metro Manila averaged 1,546 Covid-19 cases per day over the past week, still lower than the highest average of seven. days of 2,690 cases. .
Metro Manila’s R0 is at 1.86, which is faster than the current R0 used in its 1.6 projections on February 17.
Quezon City, Manila, Pasay, Makati, and Parañaque saw an increase in cases, and Quezon City, Makati, and Taguig had critical levels of hospital occupancy.
With the highest reproduction number, Metro Manila could have 4,000 new cases by the end of the month, which could overwhelm the health system not only in the region, but in the surrounding provinces.
Increases have been observed in the city of Antipolo and Cainta in Rizal, the city of Bacoor and the city of Imus in Cavite, and Sta. María in Bulacan.
Octa said that Metro Manila government units must continue to enforce localized closures, as well as other restrictions such as curfews, border controls, reduced capacity in establishments, limiting social gatherings.
In Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Davao City, the number of Covid cases has decreased, while Baguio City experienced an increase in cases.
The Health Department said it cannot assume that the increase in cases was driven by variants, as only 3.5 percent of the sequenced samples had the B117 or UK variant and 5.5 percent of them had the B1351 or the South African variant.
Undersecretary of Health Maria Rosario Vergeire told a press conference on Friday that 11 cities in Metro Manila had the UK variant, seven cities had the South African variant and another seven had both variants, according to samples that were sequenced by the genome.
The mayors of Metro Manila agreed to a “unified” curfew to help contain the rise of Covid-19.
The president of the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority, Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., said that the Manila Metropolitan Council (MMC) agreed to enforce a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am for two weeks starting on 15 May. March.
“We will not only impose a curfew; this is just one of the tools to stop the spread … It is important that we get back to basics, ”Abalos said Thursday night after the MMC meeting.
Frontline workers, essential workers like those in the food delivery service and others who work nights are exempt from the curfew, but identification is needed as proof, according to Ábalos.
MMC president and Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez said on Friday that mayors would seek police help to implement the curfew.
WITH JOHN ERIC MENDOZA
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