By Pearl Gumapos
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) on Monday (June 21) reported the detection of more COVID-19 variant cases.
According to their latest whole-genome sequencing report, they have detected additional cases of four Delta variant, 14 Alpha, 21 Beta, and one Theta.
The Delta, Alpha, Beta, and Theta variants were first detected in India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the Philippines respectively.
Delta variant
Three of the four additional Delta variant cases are returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) from the MV Eastern Hope, a ship currently docked in South Korea.
Upon detection of the PCR-positive Filipino crew in South Korea, they were repatriated back to the Philippines on June 3, 2021.
Two cases have completed their 10-day isolation after arrival in the country and were discharged upon certification of recovery, while one is still confined in a hospital in Metro Manila.
The fourth case is a ROF who arrived from Saudi Arabia on May 24, 2021. They completed the mandated isolation, recovered on June 10, and were discharged from the isolation facility. They are now under strict home quarantine as per protocols of the destination local government unit (LGU).
These additional four cases bring the total number of Delta cases to 17.
Alpha variant
Of the additional 14 Alpha variant cases detected, 12 are local cases while two are still being verified as to whether they are local or ROF cases. Two have died and 12 have recovered.
There are now 1,085 total Alpha variant cases.
Beta variant
Of the additional 21 Beta variant cases detected, 20 are local cases while one case is being verified as to whether it is a local or ROF case. Twenty have recovered and one case is active.
The total Beta variant cases are now 1,267.
Theta variant
The Theta variant case, while still being verified as to whether it is a local or ROF case, has been tagged as recovered.
The Theta variant is not identified as a variant of concern for now, because more data is needed to determine whether it will have significant public health implications.
Reagents procurement
Meanwhile, the DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH assured the public that biosurveillance activities for the detection of COVID-19 variants shall continue, following the increase in the number of cases in the Visayas and Mindanao.
In line with this, the procurement of reagents for whole genome sequencing for the rest of the year was initiated by a grant of P180 million by the DOH to the UP-PGC last May. After undergoing the government procurement process, the reagents will arrive at the UP-PGC this week.
These reagents will allow the DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH to sequence samples of COVID-19 cases regularly until year end, ensuring that the government will have essential information for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. # – jlo
