DOH says no change in pandemic response after detection of Omicron variant

Roman Catholic devotees attend a pre-dawn mass called "misa de gallo" at a church in Las Pinas, suburban Manila, on December 16, 2021, as part of traditional Christmas season celebrations.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no changes in the country’s pandemic response following the detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, but the government will strengthen the implementation of existing measures, the Department of Health said Thursday.

In a briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the government will intensify border control, detection of cases, implementation of minimum public health standards and vaccination.

“We won’t change anything. Whatever we are doing right now is the key, the formula for us to be protected against any type of variant. What we’re going to do is to intensify our response, especially with our borders,” Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/16/2148420/doh-says-no-change-pandemic-response-after-detection-omicron-variant