MANILA, Philippines — There are 50 new cases of BA.5 Omicron sub-variant of COVID-19 in the country, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Of the total, 38 are from Western Visayas, five from Metro Manila, and seven are returning Overseas Filipino Workers.

Most of them, 41 in total, are now tagged as recovered. However, four are still undergoing isolation, while the status of five others is still being verified.

Meanwhile, there are also 11 additional reported cases of BA.2 sub-variant and two other BA.4 cases.

So far, there are 93 cases of BA.5, 43 cases of BA 2.12.1, and three cases of BA.4, Vergeire told reporters.

The DOH earlier said there is already local transmission of the BA.2.12.1. and BA.5 sub-variants in the country.

According to health experts, these Omicron sub-variants are highly transmissible and can evade vaccine protection.

Independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research previously said the Omicron sub-variants may cause another surge in COVID-19 cases once present in the country, but would not be as high as the cases recorded in January that were linked to the Omicron variant.