The Department of Health reported on Friday, August 6, the detection of 119 new Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases in the country, 31 of which are from Western Visayas, Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH 6 regional director, said.
All 31 new Delta variant cases are in Panay, there are none in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, Dr. Glen Alonsabe, DOH regional epidemiologist, told DIGICAST NEGROS.
Suba-a said Antique had 19 Delta variant cases, Capiz – two, Iloilo City – three, and Iloilo province – seven.
The DOH in Western Visayas is also verifying the cases of two Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who were found positive for the Delta variant, with indicative addresses in the region, Suba-an said.
The Philippine Genome Center also reported that Western Visayas had 36 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 20 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and five Theta (P.3) variant cases in its latest batch of whole genome sequencing, the DOH said.
However, a breakdown of the areas in Western Visayas where the new Alpha, Beta and Theta variants were detected was not available Friday, so he could not say if some were in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, Alonsabe said.
Suba-an called on local government units (LGUS) to continue strengthening their Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy to keep the COVID-19 numbers down.
The LGUs should conduct active case finding and immediate isolation and quarantine, reduce lead time of detection/symptom onset to isolation to five days, intensify contact tracing, and contain the localized spikes in cases to prevent further increase and spread through granular lockdowns, he added.
LGUs should also ensure that Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are on full alert, Suba-an added.
The public should not be complacent and must continuously adhere to the minimum public health standards to prevent transmission of COVID-19, Suba-an said.
Continue wearing face masks and shields, practicing physical distancing, regular washing of hands and ensuring that there is enough airflow when inside enclosed spaces, he said.
As much as possible go out only when necessary, and should symptoms manifest immediately isolate and seek medical care, Suba-an said.
“It is also important to get vaccinated when given the chance, especially the senior citizens and those with underlying medical conditions,” he added.
EARLIER CASES
The DOH in Western Visayas also said the Philippine Genome Center reports on July 21 and 28 showed that Negros Occidental had five ROFs with the Alpha variant, one Alpha local case, five ROFs with the Beta variant, one local Beta variant case, two Theta ROF cases, and three Theta local cases.
During the same period Bacolod had one ROF with the Alpha variant, one local Alpha variant case, two ROFs with the Beta variant and one Theta local case, the DOH added.*