The Philippines has not yet detected the new coronavirus strain that has been found in the United Kingdom. This, as other nations report infections from the variant, a top official said.
According to Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Department of Science and Techology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, the government is on alert for developments on the mutated variant, which is reported to be a more infectious .
“Base sa resulta na nakikita natin, ito po ay mas nakakahawa….pero ito ay patuloy na minomonitor ng authorities.”
However, this new strain has not yet shown that it can undermine the efficacy of existing vaccines that have already been developed.
“Tingin ko wala pa po itong epekto ngayon sa efficacy ng vaccine,” Montoya said. “Kasama po ito sa minomonitor, titingan iyong mga viruses at imo-monitor rin natin yung levels ng antibodies sa ilang mga pasyente kung may epekto nga ba ito sa efficacy ng vaccine.”
The Department of Health said that it will further intensify its monitoring efforts to prepare the country against the new strain.
The Philippines has also temporarily banned all flights from the UK from December 24 to December 31 due to the threats of the virus.
