Given the discovery of the Omicron BA.4 subvariant, the Philippine health system may once again be inundated by COVID-19 patients. Still, officials stress that it is unlikely to be as fatal as others.
The Omicron BA.4 subvariant could affect people with comorbidities, said National Task Force Against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa.
“Dahil mabilis siyang kumalat, siyempre ang puwedeng mapuno ‘yung ating mga ospital, kaya nakabantay kami,” Herbosa told GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.
“Although hindi siya nakakamatay kagaya nung Delta, hindi siya deadly, pero napaka-transmissible siya, may tatamaan din na mahina—yung lolo o lola, o ‘yung may sakit na diabetes,” he added.
On Saturday, the Department of Health reported the first Omicron BA.4 subvariant case in the Philippines. It was detected in a Filipino from the Middle East. He has no symptoms.
“Further information about the first BA.4 case [the] DOH detected is being verified by the concerned Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU). The immediate priority is to ensure the case has been cared for and his close contacts quarantined to interrupt transmission,” DOH said.
Another surge possible after Omicron BA.4 detected in PH – OCTA
“BA.4’s faster transmission is likely because of its ability to evade immune protection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time. While the ECDC has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinics,” it added.
The CDC further advised the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as feasible and get booster injections as soon as possible and follow the health guidelines.
Guido David, an OCTA Research fellow, warned that the subvariant could trigger another surge.
“‘Yung concern natin, baka mag-cause siya siyempre ng surge o pagdami ng bilang ng kaso,” David said.
“Mas nakakahawa siya, pero dahil meron pa rin naman tayong wall of immunity kahit papaano, mas mahihirapan siyang kumalat. Ganon ‘yung nakita natin sa South Africa na ‘yung reproduction number niya, umabot lang ng 2 pero original Omicron, umabot ng 4 ang reproduction number,” he added.
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