11 Deadly COVID-19 variants observed in Caraga Region

On the 22nd of April, DOH Caraga received a report on the discovery of additional COVID-19 variants in the region. The report came from the results of the research done at the University of the Philippines — Philippine Genome Center.

Among 68 samples, 11 were positive for variants of COVID-19. One tested positive for the B117 or the UK variant, 2 tested positive for the B1351 or the South African variant and eight tested positive for the P3 variant, first discovered in the Philippines. All individuals were asymptomatic and finished their quarantine periods. LGUs have bolstered contact tracing and monitoring on these individuals.

The South African variant, also known as B1351, was first discovered late last year. It has since been detected in dozens of countries around the world. It contains two mutations that have raised concerns that it could be more infectious that previous strains of the virus, and could possibly evade some of the antibody response caused by vaccines or previous infections.

According to the World Health Organization, preliminary studies suggested the variant was associated with “a higher viral load, which may suggest potential for increased transmissibility, this, as well as other factors that influence transmissibility, are subject of further investigation”.

On March 13, the Department of Health confirmed the detection of a COVID-19 variant in the Philippines called P3. Health officials have stated that they contain two of the same mutations found in other variants, but still cannot identify it as a variant of concern due to lack of data. Executive director of the Philippine Genome Center Cynthia Saloma said that the P3 Variant is locally developed, and that although their data does not conclusively say that it is more infectious, it suggests that the variant might be more transmissible.

The public is urged to practice utmost caution amid the detection of these new variants. They are urged to maintain social distancing, wear masks and face shields, and frequently wash their hands. They are also discouraged in participating in social events that might lead to increased risk of exposure to these new, more infectious variants.

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/radyotrumpeta

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/what-we-know-so-far-covid-19-variant-found-philippines

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/11/what-we-know-about-the-south-african-coronavirus-variant