MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 variant first detected in India is now here in the Philippines.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the B.1.617 variant was detected from two individuals in the Philippines who had travel history from India.
Health authorities earlier said the B.1.617 variant currently being investigated was found to have several mutations, including the E484Q and L452R.
Experts say that the E484Q mutation is similar to the E484K called the “escape mutation” that helps the virus get past the body’s immune system, while L452R was found by a Californian study to be an efficient spreader of the virus.
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Keep on reading: BREAKING: COVID-19 variant from India now in the Philippines — DOH