Hong Kong Authorities Identify UK Variant In Passenger From PH
UK VARIANT IN PH PASSENGER – Hong Kong authorities identified a passenger from the Philippines as positive for the new COVID-19 strain.
As the new year begins, countries from across the globe prepare measures against a new strain of COVID-19. Earlier, the U.K. identified a new more infectious strain of the virus. However, the new strain was no deadlier than previous iterations of the virus.
According to an article from GMA, Dr. Chuang Shuk-Kwan, head of Hong Kong’s Communicable Disease Branch, the traveler arrived in Hong Kong from the Philippines on December 22. Furthermore, the travelers flight was from Philippine Airlines, flight PR300.
“Patient 9003 took PR300 and arrived in Hong Kong on the 22nd of December from Philippines”, sai the Doctor. Meanwhile, other patients who tested positive for the new virus strain came from the U.K. and France.
As per the article, Chuang explained:
“The UK variant originated back in September as the people have been flying around. We anticipated that it will appear in other countries…
We found them in the France or Philippines returnees and this is anticipated. Clearly, we are implementing stringent measures… For example, quarantine for 21 days at designated hotels“.
Meanwhile, the DOH had already begun to investigate the matter. Currently, the DOH is getting a copy of the flight manifest of PR300 on December 22 from PAL. Furthermore, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said they would inform the public as soon as they get all the information they need.
Last December 22, Health Secretary Francisco Duque stressed that there were no new cases of the UK Variant in the Philippines. Moreover, he emphasized that the Philippines would be able to handle the virus if it was found inside the country.
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