AN INFECTIOUS disease expert said on Monday, May 23, 2022, that he is yet to see the need for the implementation of border control amid the detection of Omicron BA.4 subvariant in the country.
In a Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante said it is “so far too early to implement a border restriction,” noting that other countries where BA.4 and BA.5 cases are on the rise do not implement such.
He said the government should instead continue to closely monitor the situation and intensify the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing, especially of the vulnerable individuals who were manifesting symptoms.
He also urged the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS), especially the wearing of face masks, to avoid transmission.
Solante said the BA.4 has a growth advantage of at least 13 to 14 percent and that it can evade the immunity provided by Covid-19 vaccines, as well as protection from previous infection.
“The other aspect of this lineage, it can also evade immunity from the vaccines that we have received, especially for those who have been given the vaccine four to six months ago and without booster,” he said.
While Solante warned over the possible spike of cases due to the subvariant, he said it is less likely to severely affect the country’s healthcare system, noting that based on observation, BA.4 does not cause severe infection.
He said home isolation may suffice for those who will get infected.
“As long as our hospitalization rate is stable, hospitals can still accommodate even if they will be hospitalized... I don’t see the need that we will increase or we will enhance our alert level,” he said.
On Saturday, May 21, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the detection of the first BA.4 subvariant in the country from a returning overseas Filipino who arrived in the Philippines on May 4 from the Middle East.
The patient was confirmed positive with the more transmissible variant from a specimen collected on May 8. He was asymptomatic.
‘Long Covid’
On Sunday, May 22, the DOH reiterated that the best protection against any new variant of Covid-19, as well as post Covid-19 condition, more commonly known as “Long Covid,” is still the adherence to MPHS and getting vaccinated and boosted.
It said Long Covid may include symptoms such as fatigue, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and joint pains, among others.
“These can be felt usually three months after being infected with the Covid-19 virus, may last for at least two months, and cannot be explained by other conditions. Symptoms may be new onset after one has already recovered, or may continue from the initial Covid-19 episode,” the DOH said.
“To date, there is no test to diagnose Long Covid. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider for first aid. If you experience the following, immediately go to the nearest Emergency Room: difficulty breathing (catching breath, can only say one word); severe chest pain; lightheadedness or fainting,” it added.
As of Monday, May 23, the Philippines has a total of 2,252 active Covid-19 cases.
The country has a total of 60,455 Covid-19 death toll out of the 3,688,941 cases detected since 2020. (SunStar Philippines)