The Department of Health (DOH) said there are still eight active COVID-19 Delta variant cases in the country, following the retesting of 14 patients initially detected with the variant but were tagged recovered.
The retesting result showed that they remain positive for COVID-19, but have low viral load. They are among the 16 new Delta cases reported on July 16, two of whom have died.
One of the active cases is from Manila, four are from Cagayan de Oro, one from Misamis Oriental, and two are returning overseas Filipinos.
“Kapag nagkakaroon ng variants, nade-determine na ang isang tao ay may variant, binabalikan po sila ng epidemiology and surveillance units so that we can assess them, and we need to retest them,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum.
The patients previously finished their 14-day mandatory quarantine, but are now undergoing quarantine anew until they test negative, despite being asymptomatic for the disease.
At least 91 close contacts of the 16 cases have been traced, eight of whom are in the National Capital Region (NCR), 10 in Region 6, 27 in Region 10, and 46 are returning overseas Filipinos.
Out of the three Delta variant deaths in the country, two were not vaccinated against COVID-19. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the other fatality from MV Athens was vaccinated.
Response
The DOH said it is expanding genome sequencing capacity, increasing the number of healthcare workers, and distributing oxygen tanks, mechanical ventilators, and other medical supplies.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions 6 and 11 are currently under the high risk category for COVID-19.
The NCR remains at low risk, but OCTA Research report showed that new cases increased by 11% from July 13 to July 19. The reproduction number in NCR also rose to 1.06.
“‘Pag tiningnan natin sa bawat city, mayroon na po tayong na-o-observe na konting pagtaas ng number of cases. Also, we are observing also in the hospitals na mayroong konting pagdami nitong mga pumupunta sa mga ospital because of COVID-related symptoms,” Vergeire said.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, a vaccine expert, said in the July 20 Laging Handa briefing that health protocol compliance and vaccination are still effective measures to prevent Delta transmission. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
Watch full report here:
