18 cases of new COVID-19 JN.1 variant detected in the Philippines - DOH

The COVID-19 Omicron subvariant JN.1 has already entered the Philippines with the first 18 cases being detected through genomic sequencing, the Department of Health announced Sunday.

DOH said all of these cases have already recovered.

The cases were detected through the samples collected from November 16 to December 3.

“There has been no significant increase in the number or severity of cases overall,” the Health department said.

The agency also emphasized that there is no evidence showing that JN.1 causes increased severity or that it spreads faster.

“New variants and strains of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are always there - but only a few become "of concern". JN.1 is not one of those. It is another Omicron subvariant with no evidence of increased severity or unusual clinical presentation. There is also no evidence that it spreads faster,” DOH pointed out. 

The JN.1 is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "currently circulating variant of interest” as a part of its parent lineage BA.2.86.

The WHO pointed out “the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low.” 

The JN.1 accounted for 39% to 50% of cases in the United States as of December 23, according to the projections of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

China has also detected infections of the JN.1.

The DOH said that the JN.1 was tagged as a variant of interest by the WHO “as it needs to be closely observed and studied by epidemiologists and researchers worldwide.”

The DOH also urged the public, particularly the vulnerable individuals, to use multiple layers of protection this holiday season, such as wearing of face masks, ensuring good airflow and adequate ventilation, covering coughs, and getting vaccinated.

Face masking

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again, public health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon advised wearing face masks in enclosed areas should be made mandatory, at least for the next two weeks.

“One in every five [people] ay nahahawa ngayon. Ang infections will be peaking next week which is the busiest time of the year. Likely magii-spread pa ‘to because of travels, mall-ing, and going to church,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(One in every five people is getting infected now. The infections will be peaking next week which is the busiest time of the year. It will likely spread because of travels, mall-ing, and going to church.)

Leachon said that he believes that the JN.1 is contributing to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country this holiday season.

“Masyadong mabilis ang pagtaas. Usually nangyayari ‘yan kung may bagong variant na lumalabas,” he said.

(The rate of infections is too fast. Usually that happens when a new variant comes out.)

OCTA Research fellow Guido David said Saturday the COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region jumped to 22.4% on Thursday from the 18.4% recorded on December 14.

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa urged the public to wear face masks amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the country.

He also advised the public not be worried about the “minimal” rise in COVID-19 cases and reports that beds in several Metro Manila hospitals were now almost fully occupied because of the uptick in infections. —RF, GMA Integrated News