A new COVID-19 variant is expected to become the dominant variant all over the world. But the Department of Health said that there is no need to reimpose mandatory wearing of face masks – for now.
DOH Spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo described the variant as “an emerging talent from a series of talents.”
Domingo noted that XEC is an offshoot of JN.1, which became the dominant variant around the world at the start of 2024.
“Bagamat lumabas ang bagong variant na iyan, ang dapat nating tandaan, meron talagang laging lalabas na bago. Sa XEC, may bago siyang mutation, ‘yun siguro ang ikinababahala na mukhang magaling siyang kumapit ulit sa mga tao pero hindi pa nakikita kung meron siyang datos, kung malala o hindi,” he said.
The said variant is known as a “recombinant variant.”
XEC is a recombination of the KS.1.1 and the KP.3.3 variants, which both evolved from JN.1.
According to Domingo, the new XEC variant was first discovered in Germany in August, with 13 percent of all COVID cases diagnosed as XEC infections.
A total of 600 XEC cases have been identified in 27 countries across Europe, North America and Asia.
But Domingo stressed that it is possible that the XEC may have already entered the country but noted that no COVID-19 infections were recorded during the September 1-14 period.
Majority of illnesses recorded during the period were influenza A infections.
The DOH said recorded infections of KP.2 and KP.3 have also gone down to 80 cases per day, from 400-500 per day.
“Ang warning nga ng WHO kahit tumaas ang bilang ng mga pasyente na naoospital dahil sa trangkaso sa panahong ito, hindi siya necessarily dun sa bagong variant na XEC. Baka dahil nga lang sa nagsama-sama kaya nagkakahawaan,” he said.
Domingo clarified that there is nothing to fear from XEC, noting that there is no uptick in severe COVID-19 cases in Germany.
“Si XEC, based sa datos sa Germany, wala silang narereport na spike in severe cases…We can take assurance hindi siya dapat katakutan. Sa mga nakikita naming trend wala (dapat ikatakot),” he said.
“Hindi kailangan ang mandatory (face mask) dapat yung voluntary pero more importantly yung properly na paggamit ng face mask,” he said.
