No cause for alarm over Flirt COVID-19 variant — DOH

By June 3, 2024Top Stories

THE Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Region 1 said there is yet no cause for alarm over the new COVID-19 variant ‘Flirt’ that was detected in other countries since this strain of the disease has not yet reached the region nor any part in the country.

This was assured by Dr. Rheuel Bobis, DOH-CHD 1 Medical Officer IV, who said on Thursday (May 30) on One News Central-Northern Luzon TV program even as he cautioned that the Flirt variant virus easily transfers from one person to another.

But he said the good news is that Flirt is only a mild strain of COVID-19 whose symptoms are fever and cold and the patient can easily recover through proper health management.

To prevent the entry of this COVID-19 strain, all ports of entry in the Philippines have been placed on alert for any sick inbound passengers that may be carrying the virus.

Most vulnerable to the Flirt Covid-19 strain, according to Dr. Bobis, are senior citizens and the immuno-compromised.

Though the DOH has not required the mandatory wearing of face masks, the senior citizens and the immuno-compromised are advised to do so.

Asked whether vaccination need to be stepped up anew to safeguard the health of citizens from the Flirt COVID-19 strain, Bobis said DOH already stopped vaccinating ever since the COVID-19 alert was lifted a few years ago. (Leonardo Micua)

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