The Department of Health reported that 57 of the close contacts of UK COVID-19 variant cases in Bontoc, Mountain Province tested positive for the virus.

“369 iyong identified na unique close contacts ng UK traveler case, 233 iyong tested ng RT-PCR [for COVID-19], 57 ang positive for COVID-19, including iyong 12 na may UK variant,” Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a virtual press briefing.

The DOH added that135 of the 233 who underwent RT-PCR tested negative for COVID-19 infection. 41 test results are still pending according to Vergeire.

“Baka by Monday next week, maibigay na namin ang resulta,” Vergeire added when asked when will the public know if these new cases were UK COVID-19 variants.

The DOH said that there are 12 UK COVID-19 cases in Bontoc, Mountain Province and 1 case in La, Trinidad Benguet.

The department added there were 8 overseas Filipino Workers or OFWS who may have  been the cause of the new COVID-19 variant.

“Ni-rereview pa po natin. Tinitignan pa kasi may eight OFWs na umuwi po rito. We are just awaiting the RT-PCR test results of these people pa makita natin ang detalye kung saan galing,” she pointed out.

Those who were part of the mass testing included communities, jails and hospitals.The samples were also subjected to genome sequencing at the Philippine Genome Center.

The first recorded case of the UK variant was recorded last January 7 from a 27-year-old male who arrived from Dubai from a business trip. (TDT)