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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH: No new SARS-COV-2 variant in Metro Manila

DOH: No new SARS-COV-2 variant in Metro Manila

Published Jan 12, 2021 09:13 am

The Department of Health has denied reports that the new SARS-COV-2 variant has been detected in Metro Manila.

In this photo taken on September 19, 2020, people wearing face shields queue up at a public market in Manila. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

“The Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), to date, have not detected the UK variant, or any new variant of SARS-COV-2 in any of the positive samples tested,” the Health department said.

Reports circulating in social media claimed that the new SARS-COV-2 variant was detected in Metro Manila.

It added that the DOH and PGC “are closely working together in order to intensify on-going biosurveillance efforts.”

It also reiterated that whether or not a new variant is detected, the strict adherence to minimum public health standards is the best defense against the coronavirus disease as it strongly urges the public to continue practicing the minimum health standards across all settings to lower the rate of infection and reduce the risk of viral mutation.

The Health department also called on the public to refrain from disseminating unverified information “which only serves to create panic and confusion.”

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