On Saturday, the Philippines confirmed a new COVID-19 variant first detected in the Philippines, calling it P.3, with a total of 98 cases recorded so far. In addition, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has also confirmed the detection of the more transmissible Brazil variant, the P.1, in a Filipino who had returned to the Philippines from Brazil.

This was reported by the ABS-CBN News agency.

According to the report, the P.3 and P.1 variants belong to the same B.1.1.28 lineage. The P.3 pertains to a variant containing “mutations of concern” previously detected in the Philippines. It is not yet proven, however, that the variant is more transmissible or may cause problems with vaccine efficacy. The announcement on the P.3 variant was made almost a month after the DOH confirmed that “two mutations of possible clinical significance” — E484K and N501Y — were detected from samples in Central Visayas.

The DOH said Saturday the initial detection of P.3 was made in 85 cases. A total of 13 more were later detected.

"Upon verification with the Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak Lineages (PANGOLIN), the said samples with these mutations have been reassigned to the P.3 variant, belonging to the B.1.1.28 lineage, to which the P.1 variant also belongs," the DOH said in a statement.

At the same time, the new variant is "not identified as a variant of concern as current available data are insufficient to conclude whether the variant will have significant public health implications."

The DOH also confirmed that the case of a new variant detected in Japan is carrying the P.3.

Turning to the P1 variant, it is a Brazil strain od COVID-19. The first case of the Brazil variant was, meanwhile, found in a Filipino who had returned from the Latin American country. The DOH stated, "additional information about the case is currently being investigated."

This variant was first detected in Japan among 4 travellers from Brazil, the DOH said.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is evidence to suggest that transmissibility and the ability of antibodies generated through the previous infection are affected by some mutations of this variant," the Department added.

It highlighted, however, that correct and consistent compliance with minimum health standards "will prevent the transmission of these variants."

"Further, the DOH strongly urges all local government units (LGUs) to facilitate and implement necessary interventions to mitigate the continued increase in the number of cases," it said.