DOH confirms the detection of 16 new cases of the new COVID-19 UK variant

Philippine authorities have detected the UK variant of the COVID-19 virus in 16 more cases in the Philippines.

Twelve of the 16 additional cases are from Bontoc in the Mountain Province, two are OFWs returning from Lebanon, two are from La Trinidad in Benguet and Calamba in Laguna.

The DOH said that out of the 12 cases in Bontoc, seven are male and five are female. Three are aged below 18 years old and another three are above 60.

“Contact tracing was immediately initiated to contain the spread of the infection. The investigation is also underway to identify these cases’ exposure and travel histories,” the DOH said in a statement.

The two returning overseas Filipinos arrived on December 29 from Lebanon, a country included in the travel restrictions due to the detection of the UK variant in said country. They arrived on Philippine Airlines flight PR 8661.

The first case is a 64-year old female whose indicated local address is Jaro, Iloilo City. The patient was isolated in San Juan, Metro Manila and discharged on January 9.

The other is a 47-year old Filipina whose reported local address is Binangonan, Rizal and was quarantined in New Clark City and discharged from isolation on January 13.

The last two UK variant cases are local cases detected in La Trinidad and Calamba City have no known contact to any confirmed case or travel history from outside the country.

“One is currently admitted in a Benguet Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility, while the 23-year-old male in Laguna has been discharged after receiving a negative result on January 16,” the DOH said.