DOH Studying Link Between South African COVID-19 Variant To Pasay Case Spike
DOH STUDYING SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT – The Department of Health (DOH) says they are currently looking into a potential link between the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in Pasay and the detection of the new South African Strain.
During the DOH’s public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said:
“The probability is always there because there are variants detected and the cases are rising, but we need to do a thorough analysis for us to be able to really confirm and say that the variants are the cause of this increase in cases“
Earlier, the Health Department confirmed that the Philippines has reported its first cases of the new strain from South Africa. Currently, there are 6 documented cases of the virus with 3 local cases from Pasay, and two OFW repatriates who tested positive for the strain. Meanwhile, the other one who tested positive for the strain is still having his location verified.
Furthermore, Vergeire stressed that the new strain needs to be detected and isolated immediately. She added that the variant could possibly have a mutation that could lead to an “immune escape”.
She explained that this could potentially result to vaccines becoming less effective.
“Instead na your antibodies will be working for you against the specific disease, hindi niya magagawa ‘yun because of the effect of this variant, kaya sinasabi nila na makakabawas sa efficacy ng isang bakuna”
Back in February, leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer said their vaccines was effective against both the UK and the South African strains.
However, the AstraZeneca vaccines has not. Additionally, the Sinovac vaccine was shown to be merely 50% effective against the more common strain of the deadly disease.
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