Press Release | 28 May 2024

The DOH continues to track COVID-19 case counts and newly designated variants under monitoring. Data as of May 20, 2024 show that all Philippine regions remain to be at low risk for COVID-19.

There is still no scientific basis for travel restrictions to any country because of an increase in COVID-19 cases. The Department remains to be in close coordination with international health authorities. Its Bureau of Quarantine is keeping close watch over points of entry nationwide, as demonstrated by the latest instructions for heightened screening. There are no additional entry forms or procedures required beyond what is now in the etravel.gov.ph website or eGovPH app.

The voluntary use of face masks should be done properly, along with standard precautions like hand washing, avoiding crowds, and choosing good airflow.

As of May 18, 2024, only 12% (141/1,155) of dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds were occupied. Only 14% (1,435 /10,356) of total COVID-19 beds were occupied. Severe and critical COVID-19 cases admitted in various hospitals total to only 151 or 9% of total admissions, based on hospital reports in the DOH Data Collect application.

The average number of daily reported cases for the week of May 14 to 20, 2024 is 202, less than half compared to around 500 per day at the start of this year, and also compared to around 1,750 per day in the middle of May 2023. The average number of daily reported severe, critical, and ICU COVID-19 admissions as of May 18 is much less than its level in the middle of May 2023. Out of the new cases reported for the said week, 16 had severe or critical disease. Twelve (12) deaths were recorded, of which 5 occurred in the recent 2 weeks (May 7 to 20).

Sequencing efforts are continuously being conducted by the University of the Philippines – Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). Whether or not sequencing shows variants flagged by global health agencies, the DOH assumes the flagged Omicron subvariants (i.e. KP.2, KP.3) are already likely here, and notes that cases continue to be clinically mild and manageable.

There are four variants under monitoring (VUM): JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3. All of these are descendants of JN.1. Variants KP.2 and KP.3 are the proper names of what is informally known as “FLiRT” variants. FLiRT is a nickname coined by some researchers to describe amino acid changes in the COVID-19 virus’ spike protein, specifically from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) at position 456, and from arginine (R) to threonine (T) at position 346. WHO observed that “there are currently no reported laboratory or epidemiological reports indicating any association between VOIs/VUMs and increased disease severity.”

The DOH avoids using “FLiRT” to refer to the subvariants, as the term is informal and casual. Using it might result in a miscommunication of health risk.

There is still no evidence now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are causing severe to critical COVID-19, both locally and internationally. Further assessment continues to determine transmissibility and capacity to evade immune response.

Good respiratory hygiene (covering coughs), washing hands, choosing less crowds, and ensuring good airflow and ventilation are tried and tested ways to prevent ILIs and other acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. It is also best for those who feel ill to stay at home for the meantime, or to properly wear a mask should there be a need to go out.