The “stealth” Omicron sub-variant has been found to be more prevalent in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.
The sequencing detected 618 more Omicron variant cases, bringing the country’s total to 1,153. Of the newly reported cases, 13 cases remain active, two have died, 560 were tagged as recovered, and the outcome of 43 cases was still being verified, the DOH said.
The DOH said both sub-variants of Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, or the stealth Omicron, were detected in the samples.
There is “no significant difference” between the two sub-variants in terms of transmissibility or severity of disease, the DOH said.
The earliest detection of the BA.2 sub-lineage was on Dec. 31, 2021, the DOH also said.
The fresh number of Omicron infections include 497 local cases and 121 returning Filipinos, the DOH said.
There were 35 more Delta variant cases found in the whole genome sequencing, bringing its tally to 8,647.
Also on Thursday, the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) said it plans to inaugurate its satellite facilities in Visayas and Mindanao once these have polished their operations and protocols.
PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said they have already installed the sequencing machines at the facility in the Visayas while the equipment will be installed at the facility in Mindanao by next week.
Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, executive director of the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health, said the plan to enhance the capability of satellite laboratories was part of efforts to expand the country’s genome sequencing amid the emergence of new coronavirus variants.