TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- Aside from the main severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS COV), the Philippine Genome Center of the University of the Philippines (UP-PGC), University of the Philippines National institute for Health (UP-NIH), and the Department of Health (DOH) have confirmed three more virus variants in Bohol.
The DOH, UP NIH, and UP-PGC have confirmed the Alpha variant which was first observed in the United Kingdom and is now known by the scientists as B.1.1.7.
This COVID-19 variant appears to spread more easily, with around 50% increase in transmission compared to previous circulating variants and has an increased risk of hospitalization and death.
A specimen from a coronavirus disease (COVID) patient from Tintinan Island in Ubay town, which was sent for genome sequencing on July 6, was later detected to be of this variant.
The country’s center in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis through genome sequencing of the virus affecting COVID patients also noted the Beta variant in eight of the samples sent for analysis.
The Beta variant, which was first detected in South Africa, is known in the scientific world as B1.351.
Beta variant, like the Alpha, spreads more easily and reduces the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody medications including the antibodies generated by the body from previous COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccine.
This COVID variant was detected in a sample sent on July 11 taken from a patient from Poblacion Getafe, from two specimens collected from two patients in Bool District in Tagbilaran City who sent their laboratory samples on July 13.
Also positive for the Beta variant was from a specimen off a patient from Tontonan Loon, and from Cansague Norte of San Isidro, whose specimens were sent July 9 and 10, respectively.
From the specimens sent to the UP PGC on July 6, the scientists detected the Beta variant in a specimen from Estaca Pilar, Lower Bonbon in Loboc and Calvario in Loay.
Scientists also observed the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in samples sent on July 9 and July 14 from a patient in Ubujan Tagbilaran and Pagahat in Candijay.
This variant is nearly twice as contagious as earlier variants and might cause more severe illness.
According to experts, there is a greatest risk of transmission among unvaccinated people with this variant.
The rest of the specimens, which Bohol sent to the UP-PGC, were the ordinary COVID virus which is known in the scientific world as P3.
However, from those with the P3, scientists are now looking for some variants of interest which may come out after mutation from the original virus.
To date, Bohol has one Alpha, eight Beta, and two Delta variants, aside from the P3 variant.
According to the Strategic Communications of the Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease, all patients with variants Alpha, Beta, and Delta have recovered. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)