The Davao Region will soon have genome sequencing capability that can detect new COVID variants.
This was said by Department of Health-XI Regional Director Dr. Anabelle Yumang during the online press conference held today (June 10) to mark the arrival of Pfizer vaccines in Davao City.
“The Southern Philippine Medical Center is preparing to have sequencing in the region. There are documents needed and also requirements to ensure SPMC will be allowed to do sequencing,” Dir. Yumang said.
She added that the machines for sequencing are already in SPMC particularly in the center’s molecular laboratory.
Currently specimens are sent to Manila at the Philippine Genome Center for the samples to be sequenced and eventually confirm the presence of new COVID-19 variants.
The City Health Office OIC of the City Government of Davao Dr. Ashley Lopez said he suspects that new COVID variants are contributing to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Davao City.
“Grabe ka lagsik (very vigorous),” Lopez describes the current COVID virus as he saw whole household getting infected as compared to last year’s surge when only a few family members got COVID.
He said he can’t say with finality if the surge is attributed to the new strain as it hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The presence of a genome sequencing facility in the region can help shorten the time new variants are detected. (PIA XI/RG Alama)
