OCTA bats for stricter travel protocols for returning OFWs following discovery of hard-to-detect COVID variant
The OCTA Research Group recommended a stricter mandatory quarantine for returning overseas Filipinos and travelers after the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant undetected by PCR tests.
"May bagong variant na hindi na-dedetect ng PCR test...Kung ganun ibig sabihin ayusin natin ang international travel protocols natin," OCTA Research fellow Guido David.
"Dapat pag may papasok na returning Filipinos o tourists dapat mandatory na ang quarantine period,” he added.
The new variant was discovered by French authorities in mid-March and appears undetectable by PCR tests, the gold standard for COVID-19 tests.
The French Health Ministry on Monday said the variant is not more dangerous or transmissible compared to other variants.
The World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the new variant as a "variant under investigation" (VUI).
Meanwhile, the Philippine government is also urged to expand its contact tracing and testing capabilities.
The independent group said the accelerating vaccine rollout will bring down the COVID-19 cases especially in NCR Plus areas.
As of Tuesday, April 13, the Philippines has administered 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
