The Philippines has detected seven new cases of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, also known as the Arcturus variant in the country, bringing the total caseload to 11.

Based on the latest genomic sequencing data by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center from 9 to 11 May, seven were classified as Arcturus cases out of the 137 sequenced samples.

Of the newly detected Arcturus cases, two were found in Western Visayas, and two in Central Luzon.

The Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region also reported one case each.

The Department of Health previously confirmed local transmission of the Arcturus variant in the country, following the detection of more cases of the Omicron subvariant.

Last month, the country logged its first Arcturus case, which was detected in Iloilo in Western Visayas.

The first Arcturus case was asymptomatic and already recovered from Covid-19, according to the DoH.

Meanwhile, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. said there has been an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to Covid-19.

In an interview with Daily Tribune, PHAPi president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano said that there had been a 30 percent to 60 percent increase in Covid-19 admissions in private hospitals.

“Unfortunately, Covid-19 hospital admissions are still in an upward trend although it is gradual. It is not that high,” he said.

According to De Grano, most hospital admissions due to Covid-19 occurred in the National Capital Region and Calabarzon.

Asked if private hospitals see the need to provide additional Covid-19 beds, he noted that it is “not needed.”

“Right now, it is still very manageable. We haven’t received any reports from any of our hospitals that their Covid-19 beds are fully occupied,” he said.

On Saturday, the Health department recorded a total of 2,080 new Covid-19 cases, raising the country’s total caseload to 4,125,716.