Gov’t to “double up” construction of medical, isolation facilities amid reported new coronavirus strain – officials

August 19, 2020

The government will fast-track the construction of more quarantine centers and strengthening hospital beds amid the discovery of new strain of coronavirus disease, officials said on Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said that as seen by experts, the new strain is more infectious.

"But the severity is low that's why we will see (as) our mortality rates here in the Philippines is only 1.6 (percent), but many have been infected," he said.

Vega said the best way is to continue with the strategy on prevention, detection, isolation and containment.

"Perhaps this is the best way we can lessen the transmission of the virus even if very infectious," the official added.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said they will also "double up" the building of quarantine facilities.

"If they say that this strain can easily be transmitted, we will fast-track effort to capacitate the quarantine facilities and the ICU beds," he said.

The Philippine Genome Center earlier said that SARS-CoV-2 has mutated to another strain, which believed to be more infectious than  the original variant of COVID-19. The new strain was detected among some positive cases in Quezon City.

The Department of Health, however, said that there is no evidence yet on the spread of new coronavirus strain. Celerina Monte/DMS