Japan Detected New COVID-19 Variant In Traveler From PH
PH COVID-19 VARIANT – Japanese health authorities detected a new coronavirus strain in a traveler from the Philippines.
However, this strain was distinct from known “mutations of concern” such as the UK, South African, and Brazilian variants. Still, experts suggested the strain posed a similar threat.
Furthermore, officials from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare disclosed that the patient was an asymptomatic 60-year-old Filipino. He arrived in Narita airport close to Tokyo back in February 25.
During that time, several cases of the U.K. and South African COVID-19 strain were being detected in the Philippines. As such, local government officials imposed a strict lockdown in areas around the Mountain Province.
Following this, the OCTA research group raised concerns of a possible unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases. The group said there could be 5,000 cases daily by the end of March due to the spread of the new variants.
Additionally, the uniformed easing of COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions may also greatly contribute to the rise of cases. Yesterday, the Philippines 4,578 new cases of COVID-19.
Last year, the highest surge in the number of daily COVID-19 cases was 6,725 cases around August. As such, the OCTA research groups emphasized the need to detect and contain the new variants before another outbreak occurs.
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