MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 variant first detected in India is now here in the Philippines. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press briefing on Tuesday that the B.1.617 variant was detected from two individuals in the Philippines following genome sequencing. Among the 46 samples, 23 were also found positive for the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa and four were positive for the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. De Guzman said he arrived in the Philippines from the United Arab Emirates on April 29. Health authorities earlier said the B.1.617 variant currently being investigated was found to have 15 mutations, including the E484Q and L452R.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 11, 2021 03:26 UTC