The Philippines’ Health Department denied social media posts, claiming that the new coronavirus variant discovered in the United Kingdom is already here in the country.

“The Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center, to date, have not detected the UK variant, or any new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in any of the positive samples tested,” the DOH said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said that authorities are also keeping an eye on the new COVID-19 variants detected in South Africa and in nearby Malaysia.

“You can only determine if the new COVID-19 variant is here if you undergo genome sequencing. You won’t know through symptoms,” she added.

Vergeire also appealed to the public not to spread unverified information.

“Don’t add fear to public with irresponsible statements, posts,” she added. (TDT)