DOH detects 3 more cases of Omicron subvariant Arcturus

  The Department of Health (DOH) has detected three more cases of the XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant called Arcturus bringing to four the total number of confirmed cases, all found in Western Visayas.

In its biosurveillance report released Thursday night, the DOH noted that the cases are part of the 207 samples sequenced by the San Lazaro Hospital and the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Main, Visayas, and Mindanao branches last April 26 to May 6.

“About 159 or 76.81 percent were classified as XBB, including 72 XBB.1.9.1 cases, 35 XBB.1.5 cases, 13 XBB.1.9.2 cases, and three XBB.1.16 cases,” the DOH said.

The DOH last month said the first recorded Arcturus case was from Iloilo province but did not exhibit any symptoms and had recovered.

Of the remaining 156 XBB cases, two are returning overseas Filipinos and the rest are local cases from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region and the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Twenty-seven or 13.04 percent were classified as BA.2.3.20, one case,  0.48 percent as BA.5, 13 6.28 percent as other Omicron sublineages, and one case 0.48 percent as other SARS-CoV-2 lineages,” the DOH said.

The detected BA.5 case is a local case from the NCR and the additional BA.2.3.20 cases are from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Caraga, and the NCR.

As of April 26, the World Health Organization has labeled BA.2.75, BQ.1, XBB, CH.1.1, XBF, XBB.1.9.1 and KBB.1.9.2 as variants under monitoring, and XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 as variants of interest.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has labeled BA.2.75, XBB.1.5, BQ.1, and XBB as variants of interest; and CH.1.1, and XBB.1.16 as variants under monitoring as of April 20. ( Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

DOH raises mental health issues

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Health has urged family members and friends of people who are attempting to commit suicide to lend their “listening ear” as they need help more than ever.

DOH on top of situation, Palace says after monkeypox detection

MALACAÑANG ON Friday expressed concern over the detection of first case of monkeypox in the Philippines. 

Monkeypox now in 25 countries

THE WORLD Health Organization has reported that monkeypox is now present in at least 25 countries, and warned the public that there will be more cases as the virus continues to spread.

Omicron’s BA.212 now in the country

MANILA – Philippine health authorities said a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant called “BA.2.12” reached the country after a 52-year-old Finnish woman who arrived here from Finland carried the virus.

Zambo’s Covid-19 cases decline

ZAMBOANGA CITY’s Covid-19 cases continue to decline with health authorities noting lesser infections by the day.

Poor Filipinos to get Pfizer Covid vaccine

DAVAO CITY – Poor Filipinos are now the government’s priority for the Pfizer vaccine rollout after President Duterte said the country’s indigent sector must be given greater importance in accordance with the COVAX Facility prioritization for vaccines.

Utos ni Duterte, libreng face mask muna!

DAHIL SA kakulangan ng mga Covid-19 vaccines sa bansa, ipinag-utos ngayon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na bigyan muna ng libreng face mask ang mga mamamayan, lalo na ang mga mahihirap na pamilya, bilang panlaban sa nasabing virus.

What individuals should do when coronavirus lockdown is lifted

AFTER SEEING heartening results of months of containment measures, many countries have started relaxing their measures and resuming work, which makes individual protection even more important.

WHO Warns PH Authorities Against Ending Quarantine Too Early

AS APRIL 12, 2020, the end date of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the Philippines draws near, speculation has been rampant if it will be lifted or extended. 

Zamboanga anti-polio drive successful

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Mayor Beng Climaco has thanked all those who participated in the concerted polio immunization drive spearheaded by the Department of Health and the City Health Office.

Climaco cited hardworking health workers and volunteers who helped in the recent anti-polio campaign dubbed “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” that vaccinated nearly 214,000 children which was over the target of only 205,507 children aged zero months to less than 10 years old.