MANILA – The Department of Health reported on Thursday that no case of the Omicron variant has been detected from the most recent 48 samples sequenced on Dec. 8.
Of the samples sequenced, 38 or 79.17 percent were Delta variant cases while the rest had non-variant of concern lineages or had no lineages detected.
The most recent sequencing run included 12 returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and 36 local cases from places with high-risk average daily attack rates and case clusters.
There were 31 local cases and seven ROFs among the additional 38 Delta variant cases.
Two ROFs came from Turkey, while one from Jordan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, and Peru.
Of the 31 local cases, six cases had indicated addresses in Cagayan Valley Region, while five cases were from the Cordillera Administrative Region, three cases each from Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and the National Capital Region, two cases each from Central Luzon and Calabarzon, and one case from Davao Region.
According to the case line list, one local case is still active, 27 local and all seven ROF cases have been classified as recovered, and three local cases are still being validated as to their results.
All other information is being verified by regional and local health offices.
The most recent whole-genome sequencing report brings the total number of Delta variant cases to 7,886.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has agreed with the Department of Health that the existing Covid-19 Alert Level status should not be reduced due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant.
“The time isn’t ripe yet since it’s the holiday season and we have observed more people becoming complacent to go outdoors, disregarding health protocol, and unmindful of the risks,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said Wednesday.
Despite the downward trend in new coronavirus cases, Carlos believes that a transition to a more lenient protocol could have an impact on adherence to minimal health regulations.
