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Covid-19 Lambda variant detected in Philippines

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A health worker prepares to vaccinate a public transport driver with the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine at a drive-thru vaccination site, in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

A health worker prepares to vaccinate a public transport driver with the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine at a drive-thru vaccination site, in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Manila - The variant was first identified in Peru in December.

Published: Sun 15 Aug 2021, 1:36 PM

Updated: Sun 15 Aug 2021, 1:46 PM

  • By
  • Reuters

The Philippines' health ministry said on Sunday it has detected the first case of Covid-19's Lambda variant in the country, and reminded the public to strictly observe minimum public health standards.

The World Health Organisation classifies Lambda as a "variant of interest", which was first identified in Peru in December, as laboratory studies showed it has mutations that resist vaccine-induced antibodies.

The Philippines recorded 14,749 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-largest daily increase, bringing the Southeast Asian country's total confirmed infections to 1.74 million.

The department of health also reported an additional 270 deaths, the third highest one-day spike in fatalities, increasing the death toll to 30,340.



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