The Philippines on Wednesday reported two more fatalities due to the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant, bringing the nationwide death toll to five, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In a message to reporters, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said three of the five Omicron deaths were senior citizens, all with comorbidities or underlying illnesses.

"As per verification, we have five recorded deaths. Three are seniors and all have comorbidities. One was partially vaccinated, one unvaccinated, and the other three are still for verification," Vergeire said.

The DOH previously reported the first two deaths of Omicron patients on January 19. One of the fatalities is from Metro Manila and the other is from Central Luzon.