OMICRON CASES | Philippines detects first two imported Omicron cases from Japan and Nigeria

December 15, 2021 , 03:53 PM

(December 15, 2021) – The Philippines on Wednesday announced it has detected two imported cases of the Omicron variant, classified as a variant of concern, from two travelers from Japan and Nigeria who transited through Oman two weeks ago, raising alarm for possible surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases early next year.

The health department said two samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) found the Omicron variant from a returning male overseas Filipino and a male Nigerian national who currently stay in an isolation facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said authorities are determining possible close contacts among other passengers of the flights taken by the two patients. They are also verifying the health status and test results of the passenger of these flights for more possible cases.

The returning Filipino arrived from Japan on December 1 through a Philippine Airlines flight numbered PR 0427, showing signs of colds and coughs upon arrival. His sample was collected on December 5, which returned with a positive result two days later.

The Nigerian national arrived through an Oman Air flight numbered WY 843. He was tested on December 6, and received a positive result one day after.

Both are now asymptomatic. One of them is fully vaccinated, while another was not vaccinated, Vergeire said.

They were admitted to an isolation facility on the same day they received their results. Vergeire said they were staying in a quarantine facility between their arrival and transfer to an isolation facility.

Countries across the world were quick to tighten border controls after experts from South Africa discovered the Omicron variant, raising concerns over its high number of mutations.

Researchers are still studying if this causes the variant to be more contagious or more resistant to vaccines, although the World Health Organization has warned that it is spreading at a faster rate than previous strains. Preliminary data also suggests that the variant might be more resistant against some vaccines.

DOH reported 237 daily COVID-19 cases on Wednesday as infections in the country continued to decline in the recent weeks. The Delta variant still makes up most of the virus samples sequenced by the PGC.

The department reminded the public to adhere to minimum public standards and avoid holding mass gatherings during holidays to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. They also encouraged unvaccinated Filipinos to get vaccinated during the National Vaccination Days to be held on December 20 to 22.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines has fully vaccinated around 42 million or around 38% of the population.

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