• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is no cause for alarm over the detection of new Covid-19 “FLiRT” subvariants, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, said yesterday.
The symptoms are the same as the past variants of Covid-19, she added.
Still, she reminded the public to take precautionary measures by wearing face masks, especially in enclosed areas.
The Department of Health has advised the public to observe minimum public health standards although the country remains at low risk for Covid-19.
Pinongan said that local health officers have been requested to locate possible locations of quarantine and treatment facilities.
The DOH has directed all its Bureau of Quarantine stations to “conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where Covid-19 “FliRT” incidents have been detected.
Meanwhile, the DOH yesterday assured lawmakers that there are ample funds to prepare for the emerging Covid-19 variants, including the procurement of updated vaccine doses to protect vulnerable Filipinos.
DOH Undersecretary Achilles Gerard Bravo made the assurance during the oversight hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations after Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo expressed shock over a newspaper headline suggesting a lack of preparation to protect Filipinos from the new “FLIRT” variants driving a wave of infections worldwide.
During the hearing, Quimbo noted the DOH’s significant, yet, underutilized funds after a presentation of the agency’s budget utilization report.
She said various funding sources, such as the quick response fund and the communicable disease program, remain largely untapped.
Bravo confirmed the availability of funds, and assured the committee of the DOH’s readiness to adjust its budget.
On the other hand, House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin urged preparedness for the emerging “FLIRT” variant.
She highlighted the challenges of implementing border control and emphasized the importance of vaccination and access to pneumonia and flu vaccines.
The DOH earlier said the Philippines remains at low risk for Covid-19 following reports of new variants monitored abroad.
The agency said it is in close coordination with international health authorities in monitoring newly designated Covid-19 variants here and abroad.
It, however, advised the public to observe minimum public health standards amid the reports. | GB/PNA
