Despite strict vigilance on the more dangerous and contagious Delta variant, the Department of Health said it continues to study the so-called new variant “Delta Plus” from India.
This is after the government of India declared the new type of Delta COVID-19 variant as a ‘variant of concern’ after nearly two dozen of them have already entered the country.
According to the India health ministry, the variant was identified as AY.1 or locally called Delta Plus and was first identified in Europe.
There are already 22 cases of it in India and identified in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, and Ma-dhya Pradesh.
The three states have been advised to intensify their population testing to determine how far the virus will spread.
According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG), the new variant has three characteristics.
First, it is more contagious; second, it envelops the lung cells; and third, it tends to block human antibodies.
It is known that the Delta Plus variant was formed due to a mutation of the original Delta strain that was first found in India and is identified as the cause of the severe ‘second wave’ of the virus in that country.
If not acted upon immediately, it is feared that such a variant could also cause a third wave.
DOH monitoring Delta Plus variant
President Rodrigo Duterte instructed experts to develop a plan and mechanism to combat the more contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Delta variant that was first seen in India.
According to Duterte, the government can no longer afford another coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant.
“The scientists, you people, you have to come up with something to fight COVID-19 D[elta]. Eh wala pa tayo niyan. Second is we cannot afford it. Iyong nangyari sa ating, ‘yong first wave, it has depleted really the resources of government. Now, another one would be disastrous for this country. That is why the stricter you are, the better,” said Duterte.
Expert Dr. Edsel Salvana of the IATF Technical Advisory Group urges to follow the “10 plus 4” strategy and the strict adherence to the face shields policy.
International arrivals will be subjected to a 10-day facility-based quarantine, and RT-PCR will be tested on the 7th day.
Subsequently, a 4 -day home quarantine is still required.
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