Transmissibility of COVID Kappa variant monitored
THE Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the transmissibility of a Delta sublineage (B.1.617.1), which was formerly known as Kappa variant.
In an interview, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said they are still collecting more information on the B.1.617.1 variant as the DOH has so far recorded the first case with the said variant in Floridablanca, Pampanga last Nov. 8.
“Itong Kappa naman, sublineage ng Delta variant at saka hindi pa masabi kung talagang ano siya. Kasi right now isang variant under monitoring. Tingnan pa natin. Mino-monitor ito in terms of transmissibility,” he said.
Vega, likewise, warned people to not be complacent as there are still cases of the highly contagious Delta variant in the country.
The Philippines has detected 2,708 cases of the Delta variant as of Sept. 13.
The OCTA Research group had warned that there could be a Delta resurge if COVID-19 boosters will not be given.
The Philippines’ average number of fresh infections plummeted from over 20,000 in September 6 to 12 to 2,000 from November 1 to 7.
The DOH on Saturday recorded 1,997 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,815,080.
Of this number, 29,382 are active; 2,740,426 recovered; and 45,272 died.
