The Department of Health (DOH) has detected three highly transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 cases in Western Visayas, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced on Tuesday, May 17.
The cases were detected in Iloilo province.
Two are local cases, while the other case involves a returning overseas Filipino (ROF), a report from DOH Western Visayas OIC Director, Ma. Sophia Pulmones, said.
The DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development is closely coordinating with local government units following the confirmation of the three cases, she said.
One local case involves a 69-year-old male from Iloilo Province who was admitted in a hospital on May 5. He is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and was due for discharge on Tuesday, May 17.
The other local case involves a 66-year-old male, also from Iloilo Province, who was admitted in a hospital in Iloilo City on May 7. He is also fully vaccinated.
The ROF who tested positive for the sub-variant is a 60-year-old female with history of travel from the United States, who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. She arrived in Manila on April 20 and in Iloilo on April 25, and has since been tagged as recovered.
One of her three identified close contacts has been tested and the result came out negative. The DOH is still verifying the status of the two other identified close contacts.
The public is advised to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards such as wearing of face mask, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding crowded spaces, Pulmones said.
The DOH is encouraging the eligible population to avail of the COVID-19 vaccination, either primary or booster doses, for additional population protection, she added.*