The Department of Health-5 regional office in Legazpi City (File photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) is calling on local government units (LGUs) to step up their strategies against the possible local transmission of Omicron BA.2.12.1, a mutated strain of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Omicron variant.
In a statement on Wednesday, DOH-5 said a multi-sectoral combined action is needed to prevent the spread of the new subvariant, which is said to be easily transmitted.
DOH-Bicol also urged the public to follow the prevention, detect, isolate, treat, reintegrate, and vaccination (PDITR+V) approach and practice minimum public health standards (MPHS) such as wearing of face masks, proper handwashing, and social distancing.
"To date, there have been no detected mutated Omicron cases in Bicol Region. This is based on the submitted samples by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of Bicol," it said.
DOH-5 also advised Bicolanos to avoid the 3 Cs – Close contact, Crowded and Closed spaces, and to isolate immediately once symptoms manifest.
Studies have shown that the mutated strain of Omicron is more transmissible due to additional mutations, and has the potential to infect even those vaccinated individuals.
DOH-5 also said LGUs are all expected to submit their constituents to Covid-19 vaccination and their prescribed number of booster doses. (PNA)
