The new COVID-19 strain is causing alarm not only in the Philippines but also abroad.
“Kailangan siyang tutukan kasi alam natin na nakakahawa itong variant na ito,” said Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, member of technical working group of Department of Health.
(We need to focus on it because we know that this variant is contagious.)
In an interview with TeleRadyo Wednesday morning, Lim said that there are studies that say the new COVID-19 strain is more than 70 percent transmissible.
“And merong mga modeling na ‘pag ito ang variant na kumalat sa atin sa Pilipinas, dadami nang husto ang mga kaso natin to about 9 or 10 times more,” she added.
(And there are models that if this is the variant spreads in the Philippines, our cases will increase significantly to about 9 or 10 times more.)
Lim explained that it is natural for the virus to change because it is a way to ensure that it survives in the community. She also said that this is not the first time the virus has had a variant in the Philippines or around the world.
“Noong July, August, na medyo talaga dumami kaso natin, nagkaroon tayo ng DG14G variant. And dahil meron tayong sistema, nakikita natin yan,” she said.
New COVID-19 strain should be given attention – health expert
(In July, August, when our number of cases actually increased, we had a DG14G variant. And because we have a system, we detect that.)
According to the Department of Health on Wednesday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 480,737 with 448,700 recoveries and 9,347 deaths.
“Kung ngayong medyo challenged na ang ating health care system, papaano pa kaya kapag ito ang siyang maging malaganap?” said Lim.
(If our health care system is now a bit challenged, imagine if the new COVID-19 strain spreads?)
She reminded the public not to neglect and follow the minimum health protocols against the spread of COVID-19.
“Pagkanagkataon na yung nanghawa ay itong variety na ito, malaki ang consequences. Marami ang maaapektuhan. Marami ang maaring mamatay,” sabi niya.
(Coincidentally, the one who infects this variety, the consequences are great. Many will be affected. Many can die.)