DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 January) — The Department of Health (DOH)-Davao confirmed on Saturday the detection of 12 additional cases of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, including three with addresses in the region but were tested in other areas.
The region comprising the five Davao provinces and six cities, now has a total of 17 cases of this variant as of January 29, including the five fully recovered cases reported on January 20.
The regional health office reported 10 local cases and two cases of returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), both residents of the city.
Of the local cases, eight are from Davao City and one from Davao Oriental. It also clarified that another case with an address in Davao de Oro but working and residing outside this region would be retagged to the other region.
The DOH-Davao has yet to provide the case profiles and status of the latest cases of Omicron.
It said the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit is “closely coordinating with the concerned local government units (LGUs) for intensive case investigation and to ensure that management is aligned with the interim guidelines in the management of Omicron variant.”
Known as the fastest-spreading COVID-19 variant, the Omicron is believed to be driving the surge of cases in the region.
The DOH-Davao said there is no single strategy that will provide full protection to an individual amid the threat of COVID-19 variants.
It encouraged the public to get vaccinated, observe minimum public health standard as well as proper ventilation to minimize risk of contracting the infection.
A total of 1,604 new cases were reported on January 28, bringing the total cases to 123,945 with 14,976 active, 104,995 recovered, and 3,974 dead.
Of the total cases, 67,453 were reported in Davao City with 9,823 active, 55,795 recovered, and 1,832 dead. A total of 8,639 were reported in Davao de Oro, 22,391 in Davao del Norte, 12,810 in Davao del Sur, 4,119 in Davao Occidental, and 8,533 in Davao Oriental. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
