DAVAO CITY - The Department of Health – Davao Region (DOH-11) has not detected the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant here as the city continues to record a low number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force said Thursday.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the city’s Covid-19 task force spokesperson, however, said despite having no cases yet of the deadly variant, Dabawenyos should remain vigilant and continue practicing minimum public health standard (MPHS) protocols.
She also urged residents to take the opportunity of having themselves immunized against the virus.
"It is better if we can avoid unnecessary gathering, practice our hand hygiene, and also avail of the vaccination," she said in a statement.
Schlosser's statement came after the DOH confirmed on Wednesday that two travelers to the Philippines were found positive for Omicron and are currently isolated in a facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine.
The University of the Philippines (UP) - Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the UP - National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) tested 48 samples on Tuesday wherein two emerged as positive of the Omicron variant, while 33 others were positive for the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant.
One of those positive for Omicron was a returning male overseas Filipino (ROF) worker who arrived from Japan on December 1, 2021, via Philippine Airlines flight number PR 0427.
The ROF’s sample was collected on December 5, 2021.
The migrant worker’s positive result was released on December 7 and he was admitted to an isolation facility on the same day.
He is currently asymptomatic but had symptoms of colds and cough upon arrival.
The other case is a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria on November 30, 2021, via Oman Air with flight number WY 843.
A sample was collected on December 6, 2021, and the result was released on December 7, 2021.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera, DOH-11 assistant director, once again reminded the public to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 health protocols and have themselves vaccinated.
She said the two measures are still the best weapons to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
“Much better if we follow the MPHS and get vaccinated for additional protection against any variant,” Rivera said in an interview by the Philippine News Agency here on Wednesday.
The DOH-11 also urged everyone to ensure having the proper ventilation and avoiding crowded places for extra protection against the virus.
"Let us avoid mass gatherings, especially during the holiday season," Rivera added. (PNA)
