MANILA, Philippines — The test results that will determine if the Filipino seafarers from India have the COVID-19 variant first detected in the South Asian country may be released in two to three days, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday. The genome sequencing will determine if the seafarers are positive of the so-called “double-mutant” B.1.617 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus first reported in India or other variants of concern and variants under investigation. The seafarers were among the 21 Filipino crew members of the MV Athens Bridge that docked in Manila on Thursday. All the virus-positive seafarers are already being treated while the 10 others who don’t have the virus are under quarantine and will also undergo COVID-19 testing. The Maritime Industry Authority earlier said the cargo ship left India on April 22 and arrived in Haiphong, Vietnam on May 1, where the 12 COVID-19 positive cases were detected.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 08, 2021 07:18 UTC