ILOILO City – From January to March 12 this year, this city recorded 113 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Four of these cases died.
The Omicron variant has been called a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) based on the evidence that it has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves. There is consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant in countries with documented community transmission.
Of the city’s 113 Omicron variant cases, 39 were from the district of Jaro; 37 from Mandurriao; 11 from Molo; 11 from La Paz; eight from Arevalo; and six from the City Proper. One other case needed further verification.
Data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) also showed that 53 percent or 60 of the cases exhibited influenza-like symptoms; 44 percent or 50 cases were asymptomatic; two percent or two cases were severe acute respiratory infection.
Also, 43 of the cases (38 percent) were healthcare workers.
Early findings suggest that there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared to the Delta variant. But WHO warns that it should not be dismissed as “mild”. Increased transmission is expected to lead to more hospitalizations. That increase causes strain on frontline workers and healthcare systems, which in turn can result in more deaths.
Majority of the Omicron cases in Iloilo City were local (107 cases or 95 percent); four cases (three percent) were returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs); and one case (one percent) was a locally stranded individual.
According to Iloilo City COVID-19 spokesperson Jeck Conlu, majority of these Omicron variant cases already recovered.
On the other hand, from March 1 to 15, Iloilo City recorded 173 COVID-19 cases.
The CESU logged an average of 12 cases per day – 87.31 percent lower compared to the cases recorded in the same period last month (1,363).
Iloilo City is under Alert Level 1 until the end of March. It is described by the Department of Health as the “new normal” wherein intrazonal and interzonal travel is allowed regardless of age and comorbidities.
All establishments, persons or activities are permitted to operate, work or be done at full onsite capacity provided that health standards are observed.
It is important to remember that all variants of COVID-19 can cause severe disease or death, including the Delta variant that is still dominant worldwide, which is why preventing the spread of the virus and reducing risk of exposure to the virus is so important.
How can a person protect himself and his family against the Omicron variant?
According to health authorities, the most important thing you can do is reduce risk of exposure to the virus. Make sure to:
* Wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. Make sure that your hands are clean when you put on and remove your mask.
* Keep a physical distance of at least one meter from others.
* Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.
* Open windows to improve ventilation indoors.
* Wash hands regularly.
* Get vaccinated against COVID-19./PN
