Philippines reports more Indian virus variant, extends travel ban

A senior citizen receives his first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), at a school that temporarily serves as a vaccination site, in Manila, Philippines, May 14, 2021. - Reuters

MANILA, May 15 (dpa): More cases of the coronavirus variant first detected in India have been found in the Philippines, which has extended a ban on travellers coming from countries with the strain, officials said on Saturday.

The Department of Health said 10 more patients were found to have the B.1.617 strain of Covid-19, bringing to 12 the total number of cases of the more contagious Indian variant in the country.