DOH reports 924 new Omicron subvariant cases

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — The Department of Health on Tuesday reported 924 additional cases of Omicron subvariants BA.5, BA.4, and BA.2.12.1 based on its latest genome sequencing run.

In a press briefing, DOH Officer-in-Charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the number of BA.5 cases rose to 4,013 after 906 more individuals tested positive for the said subvariant.

Of the new BA.5 cases, ten were detected from all regions except in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The DOH said that 814 individuals have already recovered and 49 are still isolating. The statuses of 43 others are still being verified.

Meanwhile, there are 11 new BA.4 patients, pushing the total number of subvariant cases to 115. Of the 11, five individuals are from Bicol Region, and two each from Western Visayas, Cordillera Autonomous Region, and the National Capital Region.

The DOH said that all new BA.4 cases are now tagged as recovered.

Further, seven more individuals tested positive for BA.2.12.1. Four of them are from Ilocos Region while Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas have one each.

All seven have already recovered, the DOH added.

The DOH noted that exposure and travel histories of the newly detected cases of Omicron subvariants are still being verified.