The Philippine Genome Center has not detected any COVID-19 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern case in the country, but reported 38 new Delta variant cases, three of which were found in Western Visayas, the Department of Health said Thursday, December 9.
Of the three Delta cases in Western Visayas, two were in Guimaras and one was in Bacolod City, the DOH reported.
The DOH said 48 samples were sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center on Wednesday, and 38 or 79.17 percent were Delta variant positive.
Meanwhile, two females aged 10 and 65 years old from Bacolod swabbed on October 26 and November 12 and found positive for the Delta variant have recovered, Dr. Chris Sorongon, Emergency Operations Center deputy, said.
As of December 8, Negros Occidental had a total of 57 Delta cases and Bacolod City – 97, a DOH report said.
The DOH reminded the public that the best defense against COVID-19 and its variants is by adhering to the minimum public health standards. Everyone should continue to properly wear a face mask, wash their hands often, observe physical distancing, and ensure proper ventilation, it said.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 helps prevent severe disease and death, the DOH also said.*