THE designation of the two new coronavirus mutations found in Central Visayas as a new Philippine variant “remains to be seen,” according to the top official of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).
“(We will probably) know in the next few weeks,” PGC Executive Director Cynthia P. Saloma said in a press conference on Friday.
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said this new development is unlikely to affect the planned transition of the country, including the capital Metro Manila, towards more relaxed quarantine rules that will open more economic activities.
Nonetheless, Mr. Duque cautioned that “we have to be careful in the transition,” and appealed to the public to continue following the minimum health requirements such as wearing of face mask and distancing.