![“The good news is that not many were hospitalized [due to COVID-19], only 21 percent required hospitalization and just 16 percent in the ICU [intensive care units],” says Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa.](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DOH_resized-696x392.jpg "DOH_resized")
MANILA — The deadly COVID-19 variants are now likely “extinct,” said Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa on Tuesday.
Herbosa also noted that the department has recorded a four-percent decline in COVID-19 cases compared to the previous reporting period.
The DOH has yet to release updated data on the new infections.
“The good news is that not many were hospitalized [due to COVID-19], only 21 percent required hospitalization and just 16 percent in the ICU [intensive care units]. Those who were admitted have other illnesses or comorbidities,” the Health chief said in a media forum.
“So it seems that the previous Alpha and Delta variants, the deadly ones, appear to be extinct now. They seem to have become extinct and disappeared. So there’s nothing to worry about for our fellow countrymen. Nevertheless, if you have respiratory symptoms, it’s still advisable not to go to school or the office and to stay at home,” he added.
On the other hand, Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Eric Tayag noted that, unlike the Philippines, other parts of the world are currently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“The WHO continues to provide announcements regarding the spread of JN.1,” he said.
The JN.1 subvariant has already been reported in the country, and the DOH is just waiting for the Philippine Genome Center to determine whether the public needs to take extra caution about it. (Luisa Cabato © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
