DOH on detection of the UK COVID-19 variant in the Philippines: Mode of transmission “has not changed”
Following the detection of the UK COVID-19 variant in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said that the mode of transmission “has not changed”.
The Department of Health on Wednesday stated in its announcement that the mode of transmission “has not changed” following the detection of the UK COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant) in the Philippines.
This means that the minimum public health standards, according to DOH, remained to be the “effective measure” against the spread of the coronavirus disease.
According to the Department of Health, local government units (LGUs) were also encouraged to be extra vigilant and to ensure strict implementation of existing quarantine and isolation protocols.
The said announcement came after the Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) confirmed the detection of the UK COVID-19 variant in the country.
READ ALSO: DOH, PGC Confirm Detection Of UK COVID-19 Variant In PH
The Department of Health said in a statement that weekly genomic biosurveillance among local cases, re-infected patients, incoming passengers, and those with reported clustering of coronavirus cases would be intensified.
In addition, the Department of Health said that all close contacts of confirmed cases of UK COVID-19 variant should also undergo strict 14-day facility-based quarantine.
Moreover, the Department of Health reiterated its call to the national government agencies, local government units, and the public for stricter implementation of quarantine protocols and stricter observance of the minimum public health standards in order to further mitigate the risk of acquiring the coronavirus disease and to slow down possible mutations.
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