First case of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12 in the PH detected in Baguio City
The Department of Health (DOH) has detected the first case of BA.2.12, a sublineage of the highly transmissible Omicron strain, in the Philippines in Baguio City on April 27.
The strain was found in a 52-year-old Finnish woman who traveled from Finland last April 2. She did not undergo routine isolation at a quarantine facility as she was fully vaccinated and arrived symptomatic.
According to the DOH, the individual traveled to a university in Quezon City and then went to Baguio City to conduct seminars.
She started experiencing mild symptoms such as headache and sore throat nine days after her arrival in the Philippines and tested positive for COVID-19 the next day.
Upon contact tracing, nine asymptomatic close contacts were identified, with two of them testing negative.
The patient has recovered from COVID-19 and finished her seven-day isolation. She also returned to Finland on April 21.
The BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant has been detected in the United States, causing cases in the country to spike. South Korea also reported the more transmissible new strain, with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency saying it makes up 10% of the circulating variants in the country.
The subvariant has not yet been classified as a variant of interest and concern by the World Health Organization. Initial studies suggest this strain is 20% more transmissible than BA.2 or "stealth omicron."
The DOH urges the public to continue wearing face masks, isolate when sick, double-up on protection through vaccination and boosters, and ensure good airflow.