The Philippines has recorded 4 new cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the “variant of concern” first seen in India.
As a result, the total number of Filipinos infected with the Delta variant has reached 17.
According to the Department of Health, 3 out of 4 are crew members of MV Eastern Hope who are now docked in South Korea.
After testing positive for the PCR, the crew members were immediately sent home in June. Two of them have recovered, while one is still in the hospital.
The 4th was a Filipino from Saudi Arabia who arrived on May 24.
The 4th patient reportedly recovered on June 10 and is currently in home quarantine.
Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire insisted that there is no evidence that the Delta variant is more lethal.
But some studies show it is highly contagious.
According to Vergeire, some vaccines have been shown to provide protection against the Delta variant, particularly those of Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
But even the Sinovac and Sputnik V vaccines, the data are also good, based on the studies.
“Tayo ay sigurado pa rin na it’s going to protect us from severe infections and hospitalizations,” said Vergeire.
The DOH also reported the detection of 14 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 21 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and one Theta (P.3, Philippines) variant.
Philippines records 4 new cases of COVID-19 Delta variant
“The DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH assure the public that biosurveillance activities for the detection of COVID-19 variants shall continue amidst the increase in cases in Visayas and Mindanao,” the DOH said.
Of the new 14 Alpha variant cases, 12 are local cases, while two are verified as to whether local or ROF cases.
“The Alpha variant cases now total 1,085,” the DOH said.
The Alpha variant was first detected in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, additional 21 Beta variant cases were detected in the country. The said variant was first detected in South Africa.
Lastly, the one case of Theta variant is currently being verified as to whether local or ROF case. The patient has already recovered from the disease.
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