New cases of BA.5 Omicron subvariant detected–DOH

More cases of BA.5 Omicron subvariant were detected in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, July 7.

In a statement, the DOH said that 140 cases of BA.5 subvariant were detected in the latest genome sequencing run.

Also included in the said total were the 43 cases that were reported last Tuesday, the DOH said.

“The difference of that number from the current count which is 140 is explained by the reclassification of 97 cases formerly classified as ‘other sublineages,'” the DOH explained.

“The 97 have since been clarified to also be under BA.5, hence their count was added to the 43 to arrive at 140,” it added.

These 140 newly sequenced BA.5 cases were reported from the following regions: 99 from Western Visayas; 21 from Metro Manila; seven from Calabarzon; five from Ilocos Region; one each from Central Luzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, Cordillera Administrative Region, and one returning overseas Filipino.

The DOH also noted that four of them are still in isolation, 129 were asymptomatic and have recovered; while seven still have their outcomes being verified.

“Their vaccination status is as follows: 16 were fully vaccinated, three were unvaccinated, and 121 still have their status being verified,” the DOH said.

A total of 233 cases of BA.5 have already been detected in the Philippines, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, the DOH also detected a total of 10 BA.4 cases and 70 cases of BA.2.12.1 subvariants in the Philippines.