DOH Strays From Naming New COVID-19 Strain “PH Variant” To Stop Discrimination
DOH STRAYS FROM “PH VARIANT” – The Department of Health (DOH) rejects naming the new COVID-19 strain as the “PH Variant”.
Recently, health authorities discovered several unique cases of COVID-19 endemic to Central Visayas. The strain was found to be distinct from known mutations of concern such as the “UK and South African” variants. However, the new strain from the Philippines could potentially be as contagious.
Along with this, a traveler from the Philippines was also detected with an unknown COVID-19 strain in Japan. Meanwhile, 98 cases of the new strain was already reported in the parts of Central Cebu.
But, even with the virus variant being homegrown, the DOH doesn’t want to dub it as the “PH Variant”. According to an article from GMA, Anna Ong-Lim, expert-member of the DOH technical working group said:
We want to do away with calling this as Philippine variant. It’s not an acceptable practice and we try to veer away from that
Apparently, she explained how the DOH doesn’t want to discriminate against the places assigned with the name. “Medyo nakaka-cause ng discrimination, when in fact puwede naman siyang nakikita rin sa ibang lugar”.
Instead, they dubbed the Philippine strain as the “P.3 variant”. As per the article, Lim said that the new strain was a mutation between the N501Y and E484K.
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