Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is seeking the specimens of 242 travelers who arrived in the country in November to determine if the Omicron variant is present in the country, its chief said on Saturday.
“Naibigay sa aming number is 242 nag-positive sa kanila,” PGC Executive Director Cynthia Saloma said in a government briefing.
[Translation: What was reported to us was that 242 tested positive among them.]
“Nakikipagugnayan po ang ating Department of Health epidemiology bureau sa mga laboratories sa aiport kung saan sila po ang gumawa ng test – kung maaari po ibigay nila ito sa PGC,” she added.
[Translation: The Department of Health epidemiology bureau is already coordinating with the laboratories in airports, which run the tests — if it is possible for them to give the samples to PGC.]
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the same briefing that included in Saloma’s count are three passengers from Africa who are in isolation. Vergeire said specimens of the three were sent to PGC.
Saloma said the genome center will check the quality of virus samples before they can be sequenced.
Even if not yet detected, the possibility of Omicron’s presence in the country “exists,” Saloma said.
PH sequencing capacity may be expanded in 2022
Meanwhile, PGC satellite offices in the Visayas and Mindanao may begin helping with genome sequencing by January, Saloma said.
Currently, only the PGC main office in Quezon City is conducting genome sequencing, which identifies the type of variant a coronavirus-positive person has.
Saloma said personnel in PGC offices in the Visayas and Mindanao were in Manila two weeks ago to undergo training.
They are just waiting for sequencing machines so they can begin.
“The best estimate is in January — that they will be able to do this in the regions,” she said.
