After the Department of Health (DOH) verified the condition of the 7th close contact of the Nigerian who was hit by the omicron variant, it was also found to be negative in the RT-PCR test.
“All 7 contacts are negative, last passenger of the 7 located and test verified as negative,” said DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday.
The public also does not have to worry about the condition of other passengers on the flight because they have followed the guidelines for those entering the country.
“Gusto ko pong ulit-ulitin lahat po ng sumakay sa PAL flight na ‘yan at sa Oman Airways were quarantined when they came here in the country,” explained Vergeire.
But even if the system is laid out on the Philippine border quickly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), based on the data, omicron may become widespread around the world.
“It all points to a fact that it’s from a transmissibility perspective far fitter for transmission than even the more transmissible delta variant we have now as the globally established variant. Once it comes in, it’s going to start spreading so we have to be prepared for that eventuality and that’s what we’ve been talking about with the DOH and our partners,” said WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyashinghe.
WHO says PH should prepare for spread of Omicron
Despite the two omicron cases, COVID-19 cases remain low in the country.
But even if the country is seen to be ready for the threat of the new variant, we still should not be complacent.
“Because of nearly 2 years of this battle, nearly everybody is tired and nearly everybody is enjoying the recent low number of cases and of course it’s the holiday season,” said Abeyashinghe.
Meanwhile, Malacañang announced Friday that 43 million Filipinos had completed their COVID-19 vaccines.
According to presidential spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles, the number of Pinoys fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of December 16 has reached 43 million. He added 56 million had received their first dose of the vaccine.
Nograles the 43 million account for 55.78% of the target population.
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