The Department of Health (DOH) has observed the presence of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in all regions of the country except the Bangsamoro region.
According to Dr. Alethea de Guzman of the DOH – Epidemiology Bureau, the Delta variant accounts for about 11% of all sequenced samples in the Philippines.
“Sa ngayon, BARMM [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] na lamang po ang hindi na natin nade-detect-an ng local Delta case. ‘Yun ay maaaring dahil sa kaunting samples na nakukuha natin from that region,” De Guzman said in the Aug. 26 DOH briefing.
The DOH earlier declared Delta variant community transmission in Metro Manila and Calabarzon due to a large number of delta cases that cannot be linked to each other.
“Ang datos na meron tayo ay of the 482 Delta cases sa NCR, 358 ay galing sa mga cluster in barangay noong tayo po ay nag-imbestiga,” De Guzman said.
Metro Manila has 482 Delta cases, Region 4A has 182, Region 3 has 156, Region 6 has 92, and Region 7 has 59.
De Guzman said “representative sampling” is being conducted, wherein some samples from areas without a spike of cases will be included for sequencing to determine the prevalence of variants of concern (VOC).
Currently, 59% of the over 10,000 sequenced samples nationwide are VOC, including 2,322 Alpha cases and 1,273 Delta cases.
Meanwhile, the DOH said the daily COVID-19 cases in the country may reach new peaks or record highs in the coming weeks amid the rise of VOC cases.
“We haven’t felt the full effect of our ECQ. There is really a probability that we will still see additional cases,” De Guzman said.
Regions considered as high risk for COVID-19 are Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 4A, Region 3, Region 2, Region 10, Region 7, Region 1, Region 11, and Region 6. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
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