PGC clarifies: PH has more Delta than Omicron variant

USA. This undated electron microscope image made available by the US National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells, green, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes Covid-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the US. (AP)
USA. This undated electron microscope image made available by the US National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells, green, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes Covid-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the US. (AP)

PHILIPPINE Genome Center (PGC) executive director Dr. Cynthia Saloma clarified on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, that the pronouncement of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on the dominance of Omicron variant of Sars-CoV-2 in the country is only based on the latest sequencing run.

Saloma said there are still more Delta variants detected in the country, although in the last sequencing run conducted on January 2, which includes 48 samples, there were more Omicron strains found than Delta.

“Whether this is reflective of the fact that Omicron is already dominant in the country, we need to have further evidence,” she said during the Laging Handa press briefing.

So far, there were 43 confirmed Omicron variant cases in the Philippines as compared to over a thousand Delta variants detected.

During his report to President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening, Duque said the more transmissible Omicron variant is already the dominant strain in the country.

“Base po sa ating pinakahuling run of our whole genome sequencing, 60 percent na po, Mister President, sa mga samples na na-sequence ay positive for Omicron variant. So siya na po ‘yung nagdo-dominate na variant (Based on our latest whole genome sequencing run, 60 percent, Mr. President, are positive for Omicron variant. So it’s now the dominant variant), whereas before it was the Delta. So, 60 percent of all the sequence runs ay Omicron na po,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saloma said they are currently working on the expansion of sequencing capacity in Visayas and Mindanao in order to accommodate at least 350 samples per week.

“Dumating na po ang ating machines doon sa Visayas at Mindanao and this week, ini-install na sila tsaka tinetest. Hopefully, very very soon, sila po pwede nang mag-sequence doon,” she said.

(The machines have arrived in Visayas and Mindanao, and this week, they will be installed and tested. Hopefully, very soon, they can start sequencing samples there.) (SunStar Philippines)

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