THE Department of Health (DOH on Saturday, March 201, 2021, said 114 additional coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases with variants have been detected in the Philippines, mostly from the National Capital Region (NCR).
Of the 114 new cases, 46 contained the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant, 62 had the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant, and six were assigned to the P.3 variant.
These brought the total number of variant cases in the country to 479, of which 223 are B.1.1.7 cases, 152 are B.1.351 cases and 104 are P.3 cases.
In a statement, DOH said the additional cases were among the 150 samples, mostly from the NCR, sequenced by the UP Philippine Genome Center.
Among the 46 new B.1.1.7 variant cases, 45 are still active while one has recovered. DOH also said 36 are local cases from the NCR, two are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and eight are under verification.
Among the 62 additional B.1.351 variant cases, 60 are active and two have recovered while 43 are local cases and 19 are under verification. Of the 43 local cases, 41 are from the NCR and two are from Calabarzon.
Of the six new P.3 variant cases, four are local cases from the NCR and two are under verification. All six are active.
The DOH reiterated its call for strict compliance to the minimum public health standards.
It also urged the public to stay at home, unless it is extremely necessary to go out.
"Strict adherence to the minimum public health standards in all private and public settings is strongly emphasized to minimize Covid-19 transmission and avoid further mutations," the agency said. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)