PHAPI: Rise in COVID-19 cases possible due to BF.7, Christmas gatherings

There is a possibility that new COVID-19 infections will increase again considering the recent detection of Omicron subvariant BF.7 in the Philippines and the gathering of people over Christmas, the head of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said Monday.

“Posible po kasi [na tumaas] for the past… nitong Pasko talagang wala tayong masyadong restrictions at saka ‘yung bago na dumating na subvariant na tinatawag natin na BF.7. Sana naman ay hindi tayo masyadong ma-apektuhan nito,” PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(An increase is possible because this Christmas, we really didn’t have much restrictions. And then we have detected the new subvariant which we call BF.7. Hopefully it won't affect us too much.)

The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday that four cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7 have been detected in the country.

The agency stressed that current evidence does not suggest any difference in severity or clinical manifestations between the BF.7 and the original Omicron variant.

However, De Grano said this subvariant may be more transmissible and may cause severe infection.

“Mas mabagsik po ito, mabilis ma-transmit, at kita naman ninyo na ito ang sinasabi nila ay kahit kayo ay bakunado o kaya ay nagkaroon na ng COVID ay posibleng-posible na kayo’y tamaan din nito,” he said.

(It is more severe, it can be transmitted quickly, and can possibly still infect you even if you are vaccinated or have already had COVID.)

The PHAPI official thus reminded the public to continue observing minimum public standards such as wearing of face masks. He also encouraged the vulnerable population to refrain from going to crowded areas and avoid gatherings if they are exhibiting symptoms.

There were 666 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Sunday, Christmas Day, the lowest single-day tally in five days, according to the DOH. —KBK, GMA Integrated News