Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT - I 29 July 2021 HON. RYAN V. SINGSON Provincial Governor Province of Tlocos Sur Vigan City, locos Sur Attention: CARMELIZA T. SINGSON, MD, MPH Provincial Health Officer I Dear Gov. Singson: This Office has received a Memorandum from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau informing us of the results of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) released by the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center to the Department of Health on July 24, 2021 with one (1) COVID-19 B.1.351 (Beta) variant ease listed in the Province of Ilocos Sur as follows: Maria Jesusa Habab Apiado, UIC: OK3IDXDUAS, 30 years old, female, a Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF), with address indicated at 0055 Nolasco, Conconig West, Santa Lucia, locos Sur, and contact number 095-377-8529. Her sample was tested at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center on July 2, 2021. With these findings may we request an investigation of the case to complete the case profile, timelines, back-trace to determine possible source of infection of non-OFW cases and their exposure and travel histories (for ROF cases, if sea-based, include sea vessel name and ports transited; if land-based, include name of company and nature of work; if by air, include flight details and all countries visited one month prior to arrival in the Philippines), current health status, vaccination status, isolation details and location, LGU hand-over information (date and location, transportation used, isolation. period and location in LGU), and contact tracing activities conducted. There is no need for re-quarantine nor repeat testing if the cases have completed the set days of isolation and have been tagged as recovered. On the Management of the Alpha and Beta Variants of Concern Cases: In line with Department Memorandum No. 2020-0512 (Revised Omnibus Interim Guidelines on Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration Strategies for COVID-19), cases positive for the Alpha or Beta variant of concern must be declared clinically recovered by the physician and must have completed the 10-day isolation period before they can be tagged as Recovered. No repeat testing is needed prior to discharge. ‘MeArihar Highway, Paan, Ci of Sen Femanda, 2500 La Union Trunkline Nos. (072) 242 4774, (72) 607 6413, Pacsimile No, (072) 242.477 Email Address: dohrolrd@amailcom Website: prot doh gov. ph‘COVID-19 New Varian Cass HocosSut_a of 1 July 2021, Page 2 Cases still in isolation shall remain in isolation until clinical recovery and completion of set days of isolation as per existing recovery and discharge guidelines. Any case who have remained in isolation up to date of investigation and are symptomatic muse be consulted with an Infectious Disease Specialist (or with the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau, if no specialist is present in the region) prior to discharge. For cases in urban areas or localities with at least five (5) detected cases of any variant of concem, identification of first-generation close contacts shall be prioritized for RT- PCR testing and must undergo initial 14-day strict quarantine at a facility, regardless of negative result. For cases in areas or localities with less than five (5) detected cases of any variant of concern, extensive contact tracing up to third-generation contacts is advised. Samples that will test positive on PCR and fit the criteria for sequencing shall be coordinated with the COVID-19 Surveillance and Quick Action Unit (CSQAU) of the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB) and sent to the UP-PGC. Engr. John C. Foz, the Provincial Health Team Leader of the Provincial DOH Office (PDOHO) of Ilocos Sur will be in close coordination with the Ilocos Sur Provincial Health Office, the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, and concerned City Health Office/Rural Health Units to provide assistance in the investigation and reporting. Case investigation report submitted to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, this Office, will be forwarded to the COVID-19 Surveillance and Quick Action Unit (CSQAU) of the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau. ‘The Memorandum from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau serves as the official attestation of the latest results of the whole genome sequencing. Information listed must be treated with utmost confidentiality, ‘Thank you. Truly yours, ~N VALERIAND JUST. LOPEZ, MD, MPH, MHA, CESO IV Director IV