The Philippines reported on Tuesday that the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant first found in India was already detected in the country.
The World Health Organization said the coronavirus variant is classified as a “variant of concern.”
“Nais po nating ipaalam sa publiko na tayo po ay may natukoy na dalawang kaso na may sinabing variant (We wish to inform the public that we identified two cases with the said variant),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.
Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that they are investigating some individuals who have recently traveled to India.
The government implemented a travel ban for travelers from India until May 14 after the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant, which is said to be more contagious, spread there. India also recorded the highest daily COVID-19 cases in the world in recent days.
Rontgene Solante, who heads the adult infectious diseases unit of San Lazaro Hospital, had earlier said that the more contagious B.1.617 COVID-19 variant and loosening of restrictions in India are the reasons why cases are increasing again there.
PH records first two cases of COVID-19 variant from India
India also currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world after the United States at 19,557,457, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite all this, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said earlier that the Philippines will soon repatriate some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are now trapped in India in conjunction with the new COVID-19 surge and more contagious variants-even with a travel ban.
However, the government will have to wait for a while before doing so.
The Philippine government also enforced travel restrictions on travelers coming from neighboring countries of India, in a bid to prevent the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant from entering the country.
From May 7, 2021 to May 14, 2021, all travelers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka within the past 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines will not be allowed to enter the country first.
But if they arrive in the country before May 7, 2021, they will be allowed to enter the Philippines but they will have to undergo a 14-days facility-based quarantine and an RT-PCR test.
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