FLiRT: What You Need to Know About the Latest Covid-19 Variants
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday (May 21) said that it observed a relatively small rise in Covid-19 cases this May. The agency also said the risk remains low for all Philippine regions despite this observation and that there is no need to impose travel restrictions. It, however, continues to monitor all Philippine ports of entry for more cases of the new Covid variants.
The new Covid-19 variants are JN.1.18, KP.2, and KP.3. All are reported to be descendants of the JN.1 variant that was marked as a “variant of interest” by the DOH last December. The JN.1 variant is currently the cause of the largest chunk of Covid-19 cases in the United States and the world.
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The new variants were grouped under the acronym FLiRT, which comes from phenylalanine (F), leucine (L), arginine (R), and threonine (T) (The “i” was added to complete the word “flirt”). These are the amino acids that are part of this Covid strain’s mutation process.
Coincidentally, the Financial Express reported an increase of Covid-19 cases in Singapore. Authorities there recorded over 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11, up from 13,700 the previous week. The FE report also said that the KP.1 and KP.2 variants caused some two-thirds of Covid cases in the country. Authorities also expect this wave to reach its peak in the next two weeks, which implies a decline afterwards. So far, no connection has been found between this wave and the Philippines’ Covid cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that no evidence exists at the moment linking KP.1 and KP.2 to severe to critical Covid-19.
The new variants are part of the Omicron strain first reported in November 2021. This strain’s initial variants include BA.1 to BA.5 and XBB.1.16. The JN.1 strain traces its lineage through the Omicron BA.2.86 Pirola variant. While Omicron reportedly has milder symptoms and complications, it can spread faster than previous variants.
Virus variants develop because of viruses’ natural adaptive abilities which allow them to become more resistant to countermeasures, spread faster, or cause deadlier effects on the human body. A Covid virus variant becomes a “variant of interest” if it displays an especially higher degree of the above traits than others. The medical field is forced to keep up and develop new measures, including new vaccines, to deal with the changing nature of viruses.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), however, said that current vaccines still offer increased resistance against new Covid strains and variants. The DOH reemphasized the proper use of face masks and the continuation of measures such as hand washing, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good airflow in a room.
Meanwhile, 877 new Covid cases were reported in the Philippines from May 7 to 13. Five deaths were recorded from April 30 to May 13. Regarding Covid facility utilization, only 11% of dedicated Covid patient ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds and 13% Covid non-ICU beds were occupied as of May 12. Severe and critical Covid cases admitted to hospitals numbered 116.
