BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The country has detected its first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Omicron BA.2.12 subvariant. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental is on alert.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, PHO head, said BA.2.12 subvariant, also known as “XE”, was first detected in the United Kingdom.
It is known as the “stealth Omicron” as doctors and scientists initially had a difficult time tracking it in positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
Just like the original BA.1 Omicron variant, it is also highly infectious, although evidence suggests its symptoms are less severe compared to the Delta variant of COVID-19.
Tumimbang said the PHO is following the advice and mandates of the Department of Health (DOH) central office.
With the national and local elections just 10 days away, there have been rising concerns that a surge in new cases may take place.
Both the DOH and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are taking steps to prevent or at least minimize the surge.
Atty. Hazel Palencia, Comelec Region 6 election attorney, said part of the strategy is extending the voting hours up to 7 p.m.
Health protocols will strictly be observed in voting precincts, Palencia added.
Voters will be subjected to temperature checks, and those who exhibit high temperatures will be placed in a holding area to prevent them from mingling with other voters.
Even the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has announced earlier this week it will no longer ask for additional manpower from other provinces for poll security as part of efforts to prevent the entry of new COVID-19 variants in the province.
As for the provincial government, strict monitoring is being observed. Travelers are being required to show that they are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, while those who have yet to complete their vaccination or those who are still unvaccinated are being required to undergo rapid antigen test./PN
