PH logs 121 new cases of Omicron subvariants

Out of the total samples, around 60 or 49.18 percent were classified as BA.2.3.20; 33 or 27.05 percent as XBB (including three cases classified as XBB.1.5); eight or 6.56 percent as XBC; and 20 or 16.39 percent as other Omicron sublineages. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has detected 121 new cases of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariants.

In its latest coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) biosurveillance report, the department noted that 122 samples were sequenced by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the University of the Philippines–Philippine Genome Center Mindanao from Feb. 20 to 24.

Out of the total samples, around 60 or 49.18 percent were classified as BA.2.3.20; 33 or 27.05 percent as XBB (including three cases classified as XBB.1.5); eight or 6.56 percent as XBC; and 20 or 16.39 percent as other Omicron sublineages.

“Of the additional BA.2.3.20 cases, 59 were local cases from Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the National Capital Region while one case was classified as a Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF). Among the 33 recently reported XBB cases, one case was a ROF while 32 were local cases from Regions Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga (including three XBB.1.5 cases),” the DOH said.

All additional XBC cases were local cases from Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Davao Region and Soccsksargen.

As of Feb. 9, the World Health Organization has labeled BA.2.75, BQ.1, BF.7, XBB, CH.1.1, XBB.1.5, and XBF as variants of concern-subvariant under monitoring.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has labeled BA.2.75, BQ.1, XBB, and XBB.1.5 as variant of interest; and CH.1. as variant under monitoring as of Feb. 23.