There is a high probability that a new COVID-19 variant that was first detected in the United Kingdom (UK) has entered the country, says a researcher from the OCTA Research Group.
According to Guido David in an interview with TeleRadyo, it has not been detected yet because no genome sequencing has been done in the country last month.
He said the UK variant of coronavirus could be the reason for the COVID-19 surge in the National Capital Region in December.
But David clarified that it is not certain until the genome sequencing results are released.
The new COVID-19 variant spreads faster, according to studies by experts. This is also the reason why many countries have imposed travel bans on passengers coming from the UK.
The Department of Health (DOH) said it is possible to find out if there is a new COVID-19 variant in the Philippines this week.
“Hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday this week we can get the results already of these passengers (arriving from abroad) that were swabbed,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
He said the samples tested were from patients in November and December.
There’s high chance new COVID-19 variant is already in PH – researcher