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MANILA: The Philippines reported on Saturday (March 13) its first case of the highly contagious variant of coronavirus first identified in Brazil, while confirming nearly 100 infections of a new variant discovered locally.
A Filipino returning from Brazil tested positive for the Brazil P1 variant after 752 samples were sequenced in the center of the genome, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
It also reported that 98 cases were of the similar P3 variant first detected in the Southeast Asian country earlier this month.
“At present, P3 is not identified as a variant of concern, as the currently available data is insufficient to conclude whether the variant will have significant implications for public health,” the ministry said.
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It reported 59 new B117 variant infections first detected in Britain and 32 B1351 variant cases discovered in South Africa. This brings the cases for those variants to 177 and 90, respectively.
“Correct and consistent adherence to minimum public health standards will prevent transmission of these variants,” the ministry said.
The Philippines, which has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia, is battling a further surge as it accelerates a vaccination campaign that began on March 1.
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