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) report on Sunday (Aug. 29) the detection of 516 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, 73 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 81 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and 41 P.3 variant cases in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing.
A total of 748 samples submitted by 67 laboratories, collecting institutions, and different regional epidemiology and surveillance units (RESU) were sequenced.
Delta variant cases
Of the additional 516 Delta variant cases, 473 are local cases, 31 are returning overseas Filipinos (ROF), and 12 cases are currently being verified if these are local or ROF cases.
Of the 473 local cases, 114 cases had indicated addresses in the National Capital Region (NCR), 24 cases in Ilocos Region, 32 cases in Cagayan Valley, 64 cases in Central Luzon, 79 cases in Calabarzon, 20 cases in Mimaropa, 16 cases in Bicol Region, 13 cases in Western Visayas, 23 cases in Central Visayas, 12 cases in Zamboanga Peninsula, 48 cases in Northern Mindanao, 22 cases in Davao Region, and six cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Based on the case line list, six cases are still active, five have died, and 505 have been tagged as recovered. All other details are being validated by the regional and local health offices.
There are now 1,789 Delta variant cases in total.
Alpha variant cases
Of the additional 73 Alpha variant cases detected, 71 were local cases and two were ROF cases. All cases have been tagged as recovered.
There are now 2,395 Alpha variant cases in total.
Beta variant cases
Of the additional 81 Beta variant cases, 78 were local cases, two cases were ROFs, and one case is currently being verified if this is a local or ROF case. Based on the case line list, three cases have died and 78 cases have been tagged as recovered.
There are now 2,669 Beta variant cases in total.
P.3 variant cases
The 41 additional P.3 variant cases were all local cases. Based on the case list, one case has died while 40 cases have been tagged as recovered.
Increasing detection of Delta variant cases
While the total Alpha and Beta variant cases remain the highest in the country, there is a continuous and increasing detection of the Delta variant in the communities.
The DOH said it is closely coordinating with the Centers for Health Development and local government units on the continued implementation of active case finding, aggressive contact tracing and testing, immediate isolation/quarantine, and strengthened prevent-detect-isolate-treat-reintegrate (PDITR) and vaccination strategies to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.
The DOH reminded the public to immediately isolate upon experiencing symptoms, consult with telemedicine providers, and coordinate with their respective barangay health emergency response teams (BHERTs) to facilitate isolation and testing.
The health department also encouraged the public to get vaccinated and complete the required doses for additional protection against COVID-19.
The DOH also said the strict and correct adherence to the minimum public health standards and choosing to get vaccinated are the most important actions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. (DOH) – jlo
