'NO SOLID COVID-ENCE': Coronavirus mutation lacks concrete proof—DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) has yet to find concrete evidence, regarding a report's claim that the newly-found SARS-CoV-2 mutation in the country is more contagious than the original itself.

The issue sparked after the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) discovered the mutated strain known as D614G, or G614 genotype, from the original variant D614 in a small sample of positive cases in Quezon City.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the department had asked the PGC to continue their research on the coronavirus mutation to compile more information.

Due to this, The PGC promised to keep an eye on the patients with mutated strains to observe them "in order to better understand the evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 to inform containment, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies."

However, DOH affirmed that this anomaly does not affect the entire Philippines, for all the tests only came from Quezon City.

"Whatever strain there may be in the Philippines for SARS CoV-2, we just continue to enforce strictly and properly the minimum health standards," Vergeire advised Filipinos.

As of today, DOH has recorded 3,420 fresh cases in the Philippines, with a whopping 40,397 new recovered patients, bringing the total to 161,253 and 112,586, respectively.

On the other hand, the health department also tallied a death toll of 2,665.

MM, near provinces return under GCQ

Eased quarantine measures will be implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some parts of Calabarzon as Malacañang declared on August 17 that the mentioned places will be put again under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told the announcement due to the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to lower the quarantine status of NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal, which was previously put under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

"Ito po ay mas maluwag, mas marami pong industriyang bukas, pu-puwede po ang dine-in sa mga restaurants, pu-puwede po na magkaroon ng religious services, pero hanggang 30 percent lang po," Roque said in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Meeting on COVID-19 Concerns and Talk to the People on COVID-19.

GCQ was also implemented in some provinces with a few confirmed cases, while the rest of the country is under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Roque also disclosed the reopening of places with minimal social interactions, which excludes entertainment venues such as amusement parks.

While Metro Manila was put under MECQ, this gave the government time to renew their response against COVID-19.

New rules for GCQ

"So pinagsamantalahan po natin, ginamit po natin ‘yung dalawang linggo na MECQ para po pag-isipan kung paano tayo magre-reboot, kung paano magre-refresh ng approach," Roque said.

Roque disclosed that easing Metro Manila to GCQ will help the economy, and could implement the refresh for COVID-19 response.

"Kasama na nga po diyan ‘yung mas maigting na testing at nagsisimula na po ‘yung pilot natin para sa pooled testing kung saan mai-expand po natin o mas marami po puwedeng ma-test sa isang test kit," Roque told.

One of the plans to contain COVID-19 is the enforcement of Project Code.

Project Code

Under Project Code, A house-to-house search for symptomatic people will be enforced to take a swab test, separating them from confirmed COVID-19 patients.

"Gagamitin po natin ‘yung mas malawakang tracing na itinuro sa atin ni Mayor Magalong, 1:15 po ang magiging tracing natin. At siyempre po gumagawa po tayo ng mas marami pang mga facilities para mas marami po ‘yung mga hospital natin at kakayahan na gamutin ang magkakasakit ng COVID," Roque said.

"At ito nga po ang gagawin natin habang nagbubukas tayo ng ekonomiya mas maigting na mga pamamaraan para mapalakas po ang testing, tracing, isolation, and treatment," he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier tallied over 182,365 confirmed cases in the country, with 4,786 new patients, 616 new recoveries adding up to 114,519, and a 2,940 death toll with 59 succumbing to the disease.