The Philippines has recorded its first cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Department of Health has confirmed—less than two weeks before Christmas.
In a statement, the DOH said that the Philippine Genome Center detected two imported cases of the Omicron variant among 48 samples.
One of the cases is a returning overseas Filipino from Japan who arrived in the country on December 1 via Philippine Airlines PR 0427, and is said to be asymptomatic but with colds and cough upon arrival.
The other case is a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria on November 30 aboard Oman Air WY843, and is also asymptomatic.
Both are currently isolated in a facility under the Bureau of Quarantine.
The COVID-19 Omicron variant is believed to be behind the new surge of cases in South Africa and parts of Europe. The variant was reportedly first discovered in South Africa, but has since been also detected in Asia.
Although early studies suggest that Omicron may be more transmissible than the Delta variant, experts have yet to determine whether the new strain will cause more or less serious COVID-19 complications than other variants.
If you have arrived in the country through any of the flights mentioned above, you are advised to call the DOH COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or report your status to local government authorities.
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