Three COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta variant have succumbed to the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday (July 19).
The Delta variant fatalities include a 63-year-old returning overseas Filipino male of the MV Athens who died on May 19, a 78-year-old female from Antique who died on May 30, and a 58-year-old female from Pandacan who died on June 28.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Delta variant case in Taguig City is not a local case. She added that the local cases who have recovered from the disease were tested and quarantined while waiting for their results.
“Ito pong binabanggit na taga-Taguig ay isang returning overseas Filipino and was quarantined in Silver Oaks, at kasama po siya roon sa MV Athens case natin,” she said.
“Among the initial results that we have received, mayron po sa kanilang nag-positive pa rin. Pina-check natin ang CT [cycle threshold] value, and they will remain to be isolated until they turn negative after 14 days,” she added.
The DOH said genome sequencing capacity is being expanded in line with strengthened biosurveillance measures through procurement of extraction machines and additional operations in Visayas and Mindanao.
Vergeire said the Philippines only subjects 1% of those who tested positive for COVID-19 for genome sequencing due to limited resources, which is lower than the ideal 5%.
“Pinabibilis na natin ‘yung proseso ng contact tracers, humiling na ang Metro Manila mayors na manatili ‘yung additional contact tracers na kinontrata ng ating Department of Labor,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his briefing.
Health capacity
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) said it is also prepared for capacity expansion in case of a new case surge. However, manpower remains an issue after several workers resigned or transferred.
DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said they have already asked all tertiary hospitals to update contingency plans for a possible surge due to the variant.
“Since April, maganda po ang aming experience on track record for healthcare workers augmentation dahil sa inilabas naming 3,500 positions. Nakakuha kami ng 97% [na] nag-commit to work as a healthcare worker,” Vega said.
Meanwhile, The OCTA Research Group recommended the reimposition of restrictions of children’s movement due to the Delta variant. The government recently allowed children 5 year-old and older in outdoor settings.
Health authorities said they are currently discussing the proposal with other health experts. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
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