The more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has been found in all cities and towns in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed this Friday.
“All NCR areas now have a Delta variant case,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a media briefing.
That is, such COVID-19 variants have been recorded in:
- Maynila
- Quezon City
- Caloocan
- Las Piñas
- Makati
- Malabon
- Mandaluyong
- Marikina
- Muntinlupa
- Navotas
- Parañaque
- Pasay
- Pasig
- San Juan
- Taguig
- Valenzuela
- Pateros
The DOH, UP-Philippine Genome Center, and UP-National Institutes of Health reported that the Philippines has 116 new Delta variant cases. 83 of them came from the National Capital Region (NCR), according to DOH data.
Delta variant already found in all 17 NCR cities, municipalities
Most of the total 331 Delta variant cases have reportedly recovered, and only a dozen remain active in the country.
“11 are asymptomatic while one has mild symptoms. Apat po ay galing sa NCR, anim po ay galing sa Region III, isa po ay galing sa Region IV-A at isa po ay galing sa Region VI,” said Vergeire.
It was first reported by infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Salvana that the Delta variant is “three times more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus”. He said it could infect eight people in just a few minutes.
Apart from the hundreds of Delta variant cases, only 113 Alpha variant cases were detected, including 122 Beta variant cases. It is equally contagious as variants of concern, but the Delta variant is the most contagious in the country.
Eight of the 17 NCR cities and municipalities have been placed on alert level 4, the highest classification based on the aggravation of COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates. These include Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, Malabon and San Juan.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) stressed that it is still prohibited to vaccinate minors against COVID-19 even if they have a contagious disease, which is covered by vaccine priority.
“Hindi pa… Hindi pa ho napagbibigyan ng rekomendasyon ng ating mga eksperto na magbakuna na tayo ng mga 12-17 years old with comorbidities,” said Vergeire.
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