According to the Department of Health, the Philippines has discovered 70 new cases of fast-spreading Omicron BA.5, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4 subvariants.

There were 43 BA.5 cases, 20 BA.2.12.1 cases, and four BA.4 cases in total.

According to the health department, 65 of the Omicron subvariant cases are local.

Out of the 211 samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center between June 29 and July 4, 190 tested positive for the Omicron variant of concern and all of its sublineages.

The presence of more transmissible variants with immune escape characteristics is fueling an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. Cases are also increasing due to waning public vaccine immunity and increased mobility.

According to the most recent DOH data, the national weekly positivity rate increased to 6.8 percent. The World Health Organization recommends that the proportion of COVID-19 tests that come back positive remain below 5% to keep the virus under control.

Metro Manila had the “sharpest” increase in infections, with more than 500 cases per day.

Despite the recent increase in infections, total hospital bed utilization nationwide remains low, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

She added, “There were no deaths among the cases testing positive for the Omicron subvariants. Nevertheless, maintaining minimum public health standards and being up-to-date on vaccination should still be practiced,”

Since April 2021, 70.89 million Filipinos have received the COVID-19 vaccination. However, only 15 million people have received boosters.