Philippines logs 32 new BA.5 subvariant cases

The Philippines has logged 32 new cases of the more transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.5, bringing the total to 43, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Wednesday.

Heath Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 21 were from Western Visayas, four from Calabarzon, four from the National Capital Region, and three from Central Luzon.

Of the cases from Western Visayas, the Health official said nine were from a workplace cluster while three were from a household cluster.

Meanwhile, 30 of the cases are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one is partially vaccinated, while the vaccination status of one case is still being verified.

“Sa kasalukuyan hindi pa natutukoy ang exposure ng mga individuals at inaalam pa natin ang mga travel history ng mga ito (we have yet to determine the exposure of the individuals and we are currently looking into their travel history),” Vergeire said in a media briefing.

She said 22 cases developed mild symptoms, five were asymptomatic, while the status of the remaining cases is still being verified.

Sixteen cases have, meanwhile, recovered, 14 are still undergoing isolation, and the agency is still looking into the quarantine status of two cases.

Vergeire said no new cases of the BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariant were detected.—AOL, GMA News