Local transmission of Delta variant confirmed in Cebu City

There is a local transmission of Delta variant in Cebu City, the Department of Health in Region VII has confirmed.

According to DOH Region VII chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, their data showed two Delta variant COVID-19 patients have no travel history or contacts with Filipinos from other countries.

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“Base po diyan, masasabi po natin na lahat ng nilabas ng Philippine Genome Center na mga Delta variant cases dito ay we would say na local transmission po ito or community [transmission],” she said.

(Based on that, we would say that the Delta variant cases as reported by the PGC are local transmissions or community transmissions.)

To date, DOH Region 7 has reported 36 cases of Delta variant.

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“Sometime between July 28 at August 4, nakatanggap po tayo ng result na mayroon po tayong 32 na positive for Delta variant. Noong mga nakalipas na araw, may naidagdag na apat,” she said.

(Sometime between July 28 at August 4, we receive the result that we have 32 cases that tested positive for Delta variant. In the last few days, there were additional four cases.)

Local transmission of Delta variant confirmed in Cebu City

Loreche said these patients were asymptomatic and already recovered.

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She added the increase in COVID-19 cases in the region was due to “very open” borders, pandemic fatigue, and the public’s violation of minimum health standards.

Gatherings of fully-vaccinated individuals, especially the young ones, have also contributed to the rise in COVID-19 numbers in the region, Loreche added.

On Wednesday, modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) with heightened restrictions started in 11 areas in Cebu province.

The affected cities are Talisay, Naga, and Carcar, and municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Minglanilla, Sibonga, Argao, Samboan, Oslob, and Cordova.

Last month, Cebu City implemented a liquor ban and adjusted the curfew for July following an increase of COVID-19 cases.

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