Philippines reports 1st case of UK strain of COVID

The Philippines health authorities have reported Wednesday the first case of the UK strain of the COVID virus.

The more contagious variant of the COVID-19 first reported in Britain last month. In the Philippines, the strain was reported by the Health Ministry on Jan 13 night for the first time.

A resident of Quezon City in the Manila region got the new strain after his travel to the United Arab Emirates. He went there with a woman, but she tested negative. She is still in quarantine. Their business trip took place from Dec 27 to Jan 7, the health officials confirmed.

The health ministry said it had begun contacting all those the two had contact with them, and had secured the list of passengers on board Emirates Flight EK 332.

In its efforts to curb the pandemic, the Philippines has banned passengers from at least 30 countries, including the US, China, Britain and Singapore.