ADDITIONAL data are needed to determine whether the Sars-CoV-2 mutations detected in specimens from Cebu would have significant public health implications, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
In a statement issued late Thursday night, February 18, 2021, DOH said the Center for Health Development in Central Visayas (CHD-7) was expected to submit additional samples for genomic sequencing.
These should "provide additional information to guide their (Central Visayas') ongoing Covid-19 response," the agency said.
DOH assured that CHD-7 has initiated measures to contain the transmission in the region.
An investigation has been launched to characterize the cases and areas of concern.
Both the DOH and the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genomic Center (UP-PGC), which conducted the genome sequencing, said current available data were not enough to conclude that the mutations will have significant public health implications.
The samples were sequenced last week. DOH-7 officials announced earlier Thursday that the E484K and N501Y mutations were detected in 37 samples.
Both mutations were present in 29 samples. DOH-7 officials said the PGC has "not identified the entire (genomic) sequence."
The samples were collected from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, as well as from Cebu Province.
DOH said mutations naturally occur as viruses are transmitted and when these replicate. These mutations have varying effects.
"Not all mutations and variants necessarily cause negative effects," DOH said.
A variant pertains to a group of viruses that contain the same set of mutations. Among the known variants of Sars-CoV-2 are the B.1.1.7 that was first detected in the United Kingdom, the B.1.351 from South Africa and P.1 from Brazil. (HDT / VoxPop Philippines)