DOH, UP-PGC, AND UP-NIH confirm additional COVID-19 cases through continuous biosurveillance

The Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines – Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) today report the detection of 177 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, 102 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 59 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and 14 P.3 variant cases in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing. 

ON DELTA VARIANT CASES:

Of the additional 177 Delta variant cases, 144 are local cases, three are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF), and 30 cases are currently being verified if these are local or ROF cases. Of the 144 local cases, 90 cases had indicated addresses in the National Capital Region, while 25 had indicated addresses in CALABARZON, 16 in Cagayan Valley, eight in Ilocos Region, two in the Cordillera Administrative Region, two in Western Visayas, and one in Davao Region. Based on the case line list, 173 cases have been tagged as recovered, one has died, and three cases are with outcomes that are being verified. All other details are being validated by our regional and local health offices. 

This brings the total Delta variant cases to 627.

ON ALPHA VARIANT CASES:

Of the additional 102 Alpha variant cases detected, 94 were local cases and eight are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, one case is still active while 101 cases have been tagged as recovered. This brings the total Alpha variant cases to 2,195. 

ON BETA VARIANT CASES:

Of the additional 59 Beta variant cases, 53 were local cases and six cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, one case is still active, 57 cases have been tagged as recovered, while one case has an outcome which is being verified. The total Beta variant cases are now at 2,421.

ON P.3 VARIANT CASES:

Of the 14 additional P.3 variant cases, 13 were local cases and one case is currently being verified if this is a local or ROF case. Based on the case line list, two cases have died while 12 have been tagged as recovered.

The DOH further explains that the effects of the Enhanced Community Quarantine will take some time to be reflected in the case statistics and a continuous increase in the number of cases can still be expected in the coming days. 

Nevertheless, everyone has a shared responsibility to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities. Continuous actions are being done at all levels of government to provide adequate resources to swiftly detect, isolate, and treat cases and vaccinate more individuals. The DOH appeals to our kababayan to immediately isolate upon experiencing symptoms, adhere to isolation and quarantine protocols, and to follow minimum public health standards in all settings. (DOH) -rir