According to The Star, on 15 January, the Philippine health ministry verified the local spread of the Omicron coronavirus variety around Manila, as cases reached a three-day high.
At a press conference, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, "We are detecting community transmission of the Omicron type in the capital region."
On Saturday, the government recorded 39,004 new Covid-19 infections, with a total of 280,813 active cases. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)
The region is made up of 16 cities with a population of more than 13 million people.
The Omicron variant's community transmission is characterized by a sharp increase in cases, according to Vergeire, who added that infections may peak towards the end of this month and mid-February.
On Saturday, the government recorded 39,004 new Covid-19 infections, with a total of 280,813 active cases.
After Indonesia, the Philippines has the biggest number of Covid-19 infections and deaths in South-East Asia, with over 3.16 million cases and approximately 53,000 deaths.
Schools in the Philippines' capital, Manila, were also instructed to cease online lessons for a week on Friday (Jan 14), as an Omicron-driven record increase of infections ravages the 13-million-strong metropolis.
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Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on companies, services, and healthcare providers in the national capital region and nearby provinces.
According to a memorandum from the regional Department of Education, the order for schools in the capital to cease online classes until January 22 was issued to "reduce the health load" on instructors and students.
