About 19 new COVID-19 Delta variant cases in Cebu are locally transmitted, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7 said on Wednesday (Aug. 25).
Overall, there are 59 confirmed Delta variant cases in the region, including two fatalities.
Visayas Vaccine Operation Center Spokesperson Dr. Mary Jane Loreche said among the cases, 16 belong to the young population aged 15 years old and below.
Loreche also said the youngest confirmed case was a one-year-old while the oldest was 81.
As of Aug. 25, the Delta variant cases detected in Region 7 are from:
- Cebu Province – 12
- Bohol – 1
- Cebu City – 13
- Lapu-Lapu City – 13
- Mandaue City – 3
“Considering the number of Delta variants that we have, and then minus the histories of travel and contacts based on the gathering of data, then in all probability na this is a local transmission,” Loreche said.
Besides community transmission of the Delta variant in Cebu, the DOH-7 also suspected that the increase in cases were caused by non-compliance with the minimum public health standards implemented by the local government.
“There’s COVID fatigue. That’s another one that… can drive people to be laxed. Hindi na nag-wear ng mask properly, lagi na lang gumagala kasama ang mga barkada,” Loreche said.
“Parang kampante na talaga, that’s the right word,” she added.
According to the latest data, there are 13,682 active COVID-19 cases, 70,858 recoveries, and 3,094 fatalities recorded in Cebu. – Report from John Aroa (PTV Cebu) / CF – bny