Two cases of a COVID-19 FLiRT variant have been reported in the Philippines.
In an interview on Damdaming Bayan, Department of Health (DOH) Spokesperson Albert Domingo said a report from the Philippine Genome Center confirmed two cases of the KP.2 variant.
This was not surprising, Domingo said, as DOH officials were already talking about the new variant since it first surfaced in Singapore three weeks ago. He also explained that it is highly infectious.
"Malamang na malamang nakapasok na 'yan [in the Philippines]. Bakit? Mabilis kasi makahawa ang KP.2 at KP.3," he stated.
["Of course the variant was able to enter the Philippines. Why? Because KP.2 and KP.3 are quickly transmissible."]
Despite being distinctly contagious, the FLiRT variant is not fatal. The ICU bed occupancy for COVID-related cases is currently at 14 percent, while occupancy of non-ICU COVID case beds is only at 15 percent. Domingo assured that this is low in correlation to DOH's alert level, which is at 50 percent. In other countries, the mortality rate in people with KP.2 or KP.3 has not increased.
Domingo clarified that the variant did not come from Singapore, but was detected by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe, the US, and other parts of the world as early as during the latter part of the past year. Singapore's experts and authorities were diligent in conducting tests and reporting their cases, which is how they came to label the variant and publicize an alert.
The DOH recommends wearing a facemask, although it is not mandatory.
"Rekumendado po namin 'yan. Lagi namin sinasabi sa panahon ngayon, hindi na voluntary, compulsory, mandatory ang usapin. Ang usapin ngayon ay wearing properly," Domingo said. "Kasi po kahit i-require natin, kahit hindi tama ang pagsuot ng face mask, lulusot pa rin ang hangin sa siwang sa may ilong o gilid ng bibig."
["We recommend that. As we always say at this time, whether wearing a mask is voluntary, compulsory, or mandatory is no longer the issue. The issue is having people wear masks properly. Because even if we require it, if the face mask is not worn properly, air can still pass through the crevices by the nose of the side of the mouth."]
In Domingo's opinion, it would be better if Filipinos were to wear masks with the intention of protecting their loved ones.
"Mas maganda na mula sa puso ng ating mga kababayan. 'Gusto ko magsuot ng face mask para protektahan ko ang lolo't lola ko, nanay, tatay ko na nasa bahay.'"
["It is better that it comes from the hearts of our countrymen. 'I want to wear a face mask to protect my grandfather and grandmother, mother and father who are at home.'"]
The best defense against the variant, being a respiratory disease, is to wear face masks, wash one's hands, and go to well-ventilated spaces. The surrounding air in such areas continually changes, removing virus particles.
There are no restrictions as of now. The DOH believes continued social activities are beneficial in preserving one's mental wellbeing.
The FLiRT variants KP.2 and KP.3 do not have unique symptoms. Symptoms include cough, colds, fever, and sometimes the infected may experience fatigue. In children, pediatricians have observed that COVID also manifests in diarrhea. Domingo said it is "assuring" how mild these symptoms are, and that one may recover at home. He suggested taking paracetamol and drinking lagundi as treatment.
It is protocol that a person who is positive with COVID must isolate for at least five days. If symptoms cease on the fourth or fifth day, even without medication, the person may leave their room but wear a face mask for the next 10 days.
Although the vaccines, which were typically administered 2-3 years ago, are not as potent, they do still keep many Filipinos from hospital beds.
On vaccines, the DOH is presently observing whether a need to deliver new doses should arise. They are looking to see if a vaccine company would manufacture them. As of now however, KP.2 has not given much cause for alarm, so none in the industry are thinking to develop a vaccine against it.
There are plans to make a vaccine for FLiRT variant JN.1 though, which is the parent mutation of KP.2 and KP.3, and which came from the Omicron strain.
