Five Delta variant cases have been recorded in Calabarzon, including 3 recorded since April, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 4A.
According to DOH-4A Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, there are 3 cases of Delta variant — 2 in Cavite and 1 in Batangas — recorded almost 3 months ago.
The total number of cases in the region has risen to 5 after he announced on Thursday that two cases were recorded in Laguna.
“Lima na talaga. Actually, may tatlo nang nauna pero hindi siya kasi community, ibig sabihin hindi siya natagpuan sa areas kung saan sila nakatira kundi galing sila outside the country, so napunta sila sa areas nila after maka-quarantine,” said Janairo.
But Janairo clarified that this is not a local transmission because they are all overseas Filipino workers, both from the Middle East.
The 3 arrived in the country in April and underwent quarantine. They were made sure that they were well before being sent home to their community.
3 out of 5 Delta variant cases in Calabarzon recorded as early as April: DOH 4A
“Mas nauna pa ‘yung tatlo kasi April pa ‘yung tatlo eh. ‘Yung tatlo wala na, actually negative na sila, recovered bago pa sila pinapasok sa community at ‘yung isa nakabalik na sa abroad, may isa naman na nahinto,” he said.
It was not mentioned where they were quarantined, but it was confirmed that no infection was recorded in the 3 Delta variants.
“Nagmeeting na sila with local government at may mga contact tracing na ngang ginagawa sa ngayon, dahil initially ang exposure ay sa 3 tao ‘yung katulong, ‘yung household helper, ‘yung isa pang kapatid at may isa pang kasambahay doon na na-expose pero mga negative naman sila raw,” he said.
Calamba Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco criticized the late announcement of DOH-4A. He said that the area is more at risk, and above all, it causes more anxiety.
“What’s the point to create the problem, to create scare, to create what? Aanhin mo ang information kung tapos na rin ang pandemic, aanhin mo pa ang impormasyon kung gumaling na ang tao,” said Chipeco.