UK variant COVID patient not cause of rise in cases — DOH-7
A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19.(NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERS)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Talisay City resident who proved positive to the UK variant of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not the cause of the rise of cases in Cebu City, where he was isolated.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) stated this following the release of the report that the returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who was hospitalized in Cebu City after arrival on January 17, 2021, has proven positive to the new variant.
“Basin atoang pasanginlan katong atoang pasyente nga positive nga gikan og UAE nga taga Talisay ngano nisaka ang kaso. Dili nato pwede ingnon nga siya ang nagdala aning UK variant kay na isolate man siya,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche of DOH-7.
Loreche said that the rise of the cases also preceded the arrival of the OFW in Cebu and it would be unfair to assume that he or the variant of the virus he was infected with has caused the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases.
As of now, DOH-7 is still investigating the cause of the rise of cases in Cebu, particularly among children.
Aside from the first four samples the DOH-7 sent to the Philippine Genome Center in January 2021, the DOH-7 has sent an additional 70 samples to the center this week.
The 70 samples were taken from Cebu City and Cebu Province, from various age groups, conditions, symptoms, and even from a repeat infection.
Loreche said this is one way to identify if a new variant of the coronavirus has mutated in Cebu causing the rapid rise in cases.
“Seventy samples ang ni qualify ani niya so atong ipadala karon. Lahi lahi kini nga mga individuals. Naay kadtong mga nagpositive nga daghan sila kaayo sa usa ka lugar. naa poy mga nag positive nga mga bata. Naa pod kitay mga positive nga kaniadto nag positive na unya ning balik napod kay nagpositive,” said Loreche.
The DOH-7 hopes that once the virus has genomically sequenced, the truth on why the spread has been fast in Cebu can finally be explained. /rcg
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