In a statement from Dr. Rontgene Solante, the president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), the new COVID-19 subvariant JN.1, currently circulating in the United States and other countries, is expected to enter the Philippines in “due time.” He emphasized the need to closely monitor this new subvariant, which could potentially lead to an increase in cases of the infectious disease.
“I believe we need to monitor this. I don’t know if it has been detected in our surveillance, but given the fact that it is present in neighboring countries and we have no travel restrictions, in due time, it will arrive here as well,” said Solante in a combination of Filipino and English during a radio interview.
Based on preliminary data, Solante mentioned that JN.1 does not possess characteristics similar to the Delta variant, which can cause severe infections. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization has classified the JN.1 coronavirus subvariant as a “variant of interest,” indicating that it does not pose a significant threat to public health.
While not considered severe, the need to remain cautious and maintain strict monitoring of the emergence of the new subvariant persists. The possibility of an increase in the number of cases underscores the importance of measures such as vigilant monitoring, thorough contact tracing, and the implementation of various health protocols to safeguard the population’s health.
In assessing experts, strengthening the healthcare system and expanding the country’s capacity to combat any resurgence of the virus are also crucial. Despite the challenges, the cooperation of everyone is essential to ensure the safety and health of the entire community in the face of the ongoing changes in the pandemic.