Omicron blamed as cases in Cebu, Talisay cities double

The detection of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus variant may have caused the sudden spike of infections in cities of Cebu and Talisay.

According to GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak's report, councilor Joel Garganera, chief of emergency operations in Cebu City, reported that new COVID-19 infections increased in just 10 days.

Cebu logged a total of 3,709 active COVID-19 cases.

"In a matter of two weeks, na-surpass na natin ang peak ng tatlong previous surges natin. (We surpassed the peak of the previous surges)," said Garganera.

As this happened, the Department of Health-Region 7 also recorded 22 Omicron cases in Central Visayas.

There were no details  yet regarding the cases but DOH said the Omicron cases were detected in the 78 samples from returning Filipinos from December 27 to January 6.

"We received a confirmation na we have positive samples for Omicron na bumalik sa atin mula sa mga pinadala natin sa Philippine Genome Center. So mayroon tayong mga positive pero dito siya sa Central Visayas," said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of DOH-7.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News