Explainer: What is the Omicron sub-variant BQ.1? 

THE Department of Health is keeping a close eye on the Omicron sub-variant BQ.1 after detecting 14 cases in the Philippines.

As far the DOH knows, this sub-variant is more transmissible and highly immune-evasive, according to officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

What do the experts say about the BQ.1 sub-variant?

The World Health Organization said BQ.1 should be monitored closely because it shows a significant growth advantage over other circulating Omicron sublineages in many settings.

BQ.1 is as sublineage of BA.5, which carries spike mutations in some key antigenic sites. As of October 9, it has been detected in 65 countries, the WHO said.

“It is likely that these additional mutations have conferred an immune escape advantage over other circulating Omicron sublineages, and therefore a higher reinfection risk is a possibility that needs further investigation,” it said.

But there is no data to suggest that it causes more severe disease, it said. 

It said that based on available knowledge, the subvariant could reduce protection by vaccines. But it also sees no major impact on protection against severe disease. 

The BQ.1 variant, along with the BQ.1.1 variant, have spread in the United States and make up nearly half of its cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

This was just two months after these sub-variants were detected. 

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also said in October that the Omicron BQ.1 sublineage and its offshoots were likely to cause an increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks and months.

All about Omicron 

Omicron is a variant of concern and remains the dominant one circulating globally, according to the WHO. 

Omicron has very high reinfection and vaccination breakthrough potential. 

It also said reinfections are likely to rise because of waning immune response from initial waves of Omicron infection and further evolution of its variants. 

The Omicron variant was behind the surge in coronavirus infections in the Philippines at the start of 2022, which then brought the number of cases in the country to more than three million.

The peak in daily cases drove the government to tighten restrictions, which had included a prohibition on the unvaccinated from using public transportation.

Current restrictions in the PH

But the government has since relaxed its rules after the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations went down in subsequent months .

Currently, the use of face masks in outdoor areas and most indoor settings is voluntary in the Philippines.

Face masks are only required in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and public transportation. 

But the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic patients are still encouraged to use them.

Vergeire said that regardless of the variant, the preventive measures against COVID-19 remain the same. People should continue to observe physical distancing, wear masks, practice hand hygiene, and get vaccinated, she said.

“It is high time for us to remember that yes, we are aware that there are these variants and sub-variants being detected in the country, but we should also be aware that whatever variants or sub-variants that may be detected, our protocols for us to get protection and for us to protect our families are all the same,” she said.