The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Tuesday that it has detected new COVID-19 Omicron subvariants XBB and XBC in the Philippines.
In a press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire said there were 81 cases of Omicron XBB detected in two regions.
Of the 81 new XBB infections, 70 have recovered, eight are still undergoing isolation, while the status of the three cases are still being verified.
Vergeire noted that none of them died.
Citing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vergeire said the XBB variants have the same symptoms as the earlier variants detected in the country.
“[K]atulad ng pagla-lagnat, pag-ubo, hirap sa paghinga, pananakit ng ulo, pananakit katawan, pagkawala ng panlasa at pang-amoy, pananakit ng lalamunan, sipon, pagsusuka, at pagtatae,” she added.
Meanwhile, the health department detected 193 cases of Omicron XBC in 11 regions, Vergeire said.
Of the 193 new XBC infections, 176 have recovered, three still undergoing isolation, while the status of the nine cases are still being verified.
She said the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently studying the XBC variant and it has yet to determine the risks it poses.
Vergeire assured the public that the health department together with relevant government agencies continues to intensify the "four-door strategies."
She said they are particularly focusing on the third door and fourth doors: immediate detection and isolation of cases and strengthening the healthcare system.
