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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
There is no official report from ABS-CBN News or the Department of Health confirming the entry of the COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 in the country
Claim: ABS-CBN News reported that the new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has entered the Philippines, citing the Department of Health (DOH).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: On June 6, a Facebook page named “Partido Local,” which claims to be a news and media website, posted a graphic showing the logo of the ABS-CBN news program TV Patrol. As of writing, the post has garnered 52 shares and 20 reactions.
The post’s caption reads: “Bagong COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 Variant nakapasok na sa bansa, posibleng mas malakas [kaysa] sa naunang variant.”
(New COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant has entered the Philippines, and it is possibly more dangerous than the previous variant.)
The post also includes a link for readers to learn more about the news story.
The facts: The supposed ABS-CBN report is fake. A review of ABS-CBN News’ social media platforms reveals no graphics posted on June 6, 2025, the date cited in the graphic, about the supposed entry of the new COVID-19 variant in the Philippines.
As of writing, the DOH has not released any information confirming cases of the new variant in the country. In a statement dated May 17, the DOH assured the public that there is no cause for alarm despite a surge of COVID-19 cases in some Southeast Asian countries.
“We are actively coordinating through established mechanisms like the ASEAN. This gives us verified information, boosting readiness even as we see no cause for alarm,” the health department said.
“We are committed to keeping the public informed and will provide timely updates should the situation evolve,” it added.
According to a Philippine News Agency report, the Philippines has recorded only 1,774 COVID-19 cases this year as of May 3, an 87% decrease compared to last year’s 14,074 recorded cases.
NB.1.8.1 variant: First detected in China in January, the new COVID-19 variant has caused a spike in infections in China and has been detected in travelers from China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s report on May 23, despite the increase in cases and hospitalizations in countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current available data “do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.” This is contrary to the claim made in the graphic that this variant is allegedly more dangerous.
The WHO also added that current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against this new variant.
“Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level,” the WHO said.
Suspicious link: The accompanying link in the post, which was supposedly for readers to learn more about the report, redirects to an unrelated online shopping website when clicked. Such tactics are common among several fake pages that post false claims with misleading links. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)
Fake page: The page that posted the claim has a history of posting unofficial news, falsely attributing it to news sites like ABS-CBN and GMA News. Rappler has previously fact-checked one of its false claims about a supposed Metro Manila lockdown due to mpox. – Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a student journalist based in Baguio and Naga, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
