"THERE'S nothing to worry but we will continue the monitoring since it's a variant for investigation."

This was stressed by Em Ang, executive director of Emergency Operation Center-Task Force (EOC-TF), after a 34-year-old female from the city's Barangay Alijis was tested positive of B.1.1.318 variant of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the first case in the country, so far.

Ang said the patient, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), already recuperated and returned to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April.

She said the patient, who was initially reported as male, arrived in the country in March and underwent swab test where she was tested positive for Covid-19.

After she completed the quarantine in Manila, the patient travelled to Bacolod City and returned to UAE.

The result of the genome sequencing on the samples taken from the OFW was released Monday, October 25, Ang said.

Contact tracing was already conducted by Dr. Rosalie Deocampo to those who came close to the patient, she said.

Ang explained that the B.1.1.318 variant of Covid-19 was first detected in Mauritius.

It is reportedly a mutation of Delta and Beta variants but Ang said they have no idea yet as to its characteristics, symptoms and how infectious it is.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the country’s Vaccine Expert Panel, earlier said that health experts need more data to determine the transmissibility of the B.1.1.318 variant and its effect on patients.*