The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Monday the domestic transmission of the new, highly contagious UK variant of the coronavirus, prompting President Duterte to reimposes the stay home order for children aged 10-14 in MGCQ areas.
"The Department of Health confirms local transmission in Bontoc of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 as identified through genomic sequencing," the DOH said in a statement.
"To date, all identified cases with the UK variant can be epidemiologically linked to cases coming directly from outside the country (importation) of from specific cases or exposures that can still be identified (local transmission)," it added.
However, the health department said that there is still no "strong evidence" to determine that the community transmission of UK variant in Bontoc exist, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
The said B.1.1.7 or the UK variant had spread among 12 people in Bontoc, seven were males, and five were females, while three of them are children aged 10 and below.
While the virus found in the U.K. appears to be up to 70% more transmittable, it is said that there is no evidence it is more fatal or causes more serious sickness.
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