New cases of UK, South Africa COVID-19 variants mostly local

The new reported COVID-19 cases of UK and South African variants in the country were mostly local cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said late night Saturday, April 10.

In total, there were 382 new cases of the different variants, a bulk coming from local cases rather than from returning Filipinos.

Of the 192 new cases of the South African variant, 143 were local cases, 1 case was from a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) while the remaining 48 were being verified.

Experts said that the South African variant called B1351 was more infectious than the original version of the virus and may have an impact on vaccine efficacy.

Of the 170 new cases of UK variant, 119 were local cases, 8 cases were from ROFs and 43 cases being verified.

The UK variant of COVID-19 is also more infectious than the original version of the virus.

There was 1 new case of the Brazil variant, from an ROF with a current address in the Soccsksargen region.

Experts said that the Brazil variant called P1 could re-infect people who previously recovered from COVID-19. They estimated that this virus type was 1.4 to 2.2 times more transmissible than the initial form of the virus.

There were 19 new cases of the P3 variant, or the variant first found in the Philippines. Of the 19, there were 10 local cases, 2 ROFs, and 7 still being verified. “All have recovered,” said the DOH, referring to the P3 variant.

Local experts said that P3 variant was “still not identified as a variant of concern as current available data are insufficient to conclude whether the variant will have significant public health implications.”

In total, these are the acumulated cases:

• UK variant – 393
• South Africa variant – 344
• P3 variant – 123
• Brazil variant – 2

The DOH reiterated “strict and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards.”

“Increased support for the National Vaccination Program will significantly mitigate transmission of COVID-19,” said the DOH. – With reports from Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com