New COVID-19 strain detected in Philippines

A new local COVID-19 strain have been detected in Philippines, alongside detecting the first case of P.1. COVID-19 variant that emerged in Brazil, medical authorities announced on Saturday.

The local variant was identified in a Filipino who traveled to Japan, it was named as P.3. as it originated from the Brazilian strain, P.1.

More than 90 cases of the new local strain have been reported.

Health authorities said that it does not form any kind of concern said it is not yet a "variant of concern", however, it could be more transmissible than the early detected COVID-19 mutations.

The sources added: "We still lack evidence to determine if it will have significant public health implications."

The Health Ministry recorded 5,000 new Coronavirus cases today, which identified the state's largest recorded cases in a single day since August.