UK COVID Variant May Increase Caseload In PH By 15-fold
UK COVID VARIANT IN PH – According to Dr. John Wong of the health research institution of Epimetrics Inc., entry of the new virus strain from the UK could spell disaster for the Philippines.
The new virus strain isn’t deadlier than previous strains. However, it has been found to be more contagious. As such, Dr. Wong warned that such an outbreak in the Philippines could increase the caseload by 15-fold.
According to an article from Inquirer, Wong said:
“With our current r [reproduction rate] of 1.1, 20,000 cases at the beginning of the month will be about 32,000 at the end of the month. But if the variant takes over, the 20,000 cases can become almost 300,000 cases by the end of the month“
Although the new strain isn’t deadlier, more cases in the country could possibly result to more deaths. COVID-19, unlike other viruses, had been reported to cause the deaths of both healthy and sick individuals.
As such, an increase in the number of cases could potentially result in the virus having a higher mortality rate. Currently, the new UK variant called BC117 is yet to be detected in the Philippines.
The Philippine Genome Center recently conducted a genome sequencing and determined that the virus has yet to enter the country. Meanwhile, a passenger who came from the Philippines was found positive for the new strain in Hong Kong.
But, according to the OCTA research group, the passenger may have contracted the virus upon arrival in Hong Kong.
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