IN the wake of the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, the Department of Health confirmed of a slight uptick as well in the local cases in the country.

But the health department noted that there is no need to implement travel restrictions saying there is no scientific basis yet to restrict travels anew.

According to data from the DOH, all regions in the country remain at low risk for COVID-19.

This is despite the “small” increase in cases recently observed and new variants being monitored internationally.

According to the data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the DOH said that there are three new COVID-19 variants under monitoring: JN.1.18; KP.2; and KP.3. 

All of these are descendants of the JN.1, which is a variant of interest.

Likewise, the DOH had noted that there is some time needed to determine their transmissibility and capacity to evade immune response.

From May 7 to 13, the DOH said that there were 877 new COVID-19 cases recorded nationwide.

This has an average of 125 cases reported per day.

“While there is an observed increase recently, it is small and lower than previously observed increases,” the agency said.

A total of five deaths were likewise said to occur from April 30 to May 13.

Of the new cases, seven were said to be in severe or critical condition.

Meanwhile, a total of 116 severe and critical COVID-19 cases were also admitted in various hospitals, as of May 12.

“All Philippine regions remain to be at low risk for COVID-19,” the DOH said.

“There is no scientific basis for travel restrictions to any country because of an increase in COVID-19 cases. The Department remains to be in close coordination with international health authorities, and its Bureau of Quarantine is keeping watch over points of entry nationwide,” it added.