DOH: Emergency lockdown due to Covid-19 variant 'fake'

The Department of Health (DOH) dismissed as fake news rumors of an emergency lockdown related to the Covid-19 'Cicada' variant on Friday, March 31, 2026. The DOH specifically refuted claims that an emergency lockdown would begin on April 10, 2026, due to the BA.3.2 (Cicada) variant. The agency identified specific Facebook pages—including 'oy New,' 'akit News: Balang S Serbong To,' and 'Weather Patrol'—as sources of this misinformation. According to the DOH, the circulating assertions about an emergency lockdown in the nation due to the Covid-19 Cicada variant were completely unfounded.

The DOH emphasized there was no justification for a lockdown, noting that the Philippines remained secure against this variant as of March 31, 2026. Dr. Domingo of the DOH stated that while the coronavirus does mutate, this does not warrant concern. He noted that Covid-19 cases in the Philippines were down 60% compared to the previous year and cases remained stable. The agency clarified that the Philippines had not detected any cases of the Cicada variant within its borders.

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The Cicada variant was first identified in South Africa on November 22, 2024, and had been detected in 23 nations as of February 11, 2026, with cases in the US beginning to rise in September 2025. The World Health Organization classified this variant as 'a variant under monitoring' rather than a variant of concern. The DOH provided this context to reassure the public about the actual threat level.

The DOH urged the public to avoid spreading false information on social media and to rely only on verified information from the agency and reputable media sources. The department advised Filipinos to be vigilant against misinformation and to fact-check any alarming news about Covid-19 variants or lockdown measures before sharing them. This incident highlighted the ongoing challenge of combating health-related misinformation even years after the peak of the pandemic.