Stealth Omicron detected in 75% of samples tested by PGC —Duque

The Philippine Genome Center detected the BA.2 or the Stealth Omicron, a sub-lineage of the more transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant in 75% of the COVID-19 samples they sequenced, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday.

"Our Philippine Genome Center found that around 75% of the samples they sequenced was BA.2, that is called the Stealth Omicron," Duque said in a mix of English and Filipino in a Dobol B TV interview.

However, the BA.2 was causing only mild symptoms on a COVID-19 patient, just like the BA.1, another sub-lineage of Omicron.

Duque affirmed that BA.2 is currently the predominant variant in the National Capital Region and other regions due to its increasing cases.

The BA.1 meanwhile is predominant among returning overseas Filipinos), and was also seen in Region 5.

Duque said the Delta variant is already in decline and being replaced by other COVID-19 variants.

The Health secretary said government authorities are set to meet on Saturday to discuss whether NCR should be downgraded to Alert Level 2.—AOL, GMA News