Bacolod City, Negros Occidental— The Department of Health in Region 6 confirmed in its virtual press conference today, July 16, that a couple from Antique province was the first local case of COVID-19 who tested positive of the Delta variant. The wife expired last May 31, 2021, while her husband has fully recovered.
The 2 according to DoH Regional Director Dr. Andriano P. Suba-an, were senior citizens and have not received a COVID-19 shots. Both were considered a local case as they do not have a history of travel, but the deceased was diagnosed of diabetic type 2.
Initial investigation from the regional health bureau showed that the 2 have a close contact with a relative, who is a Returning Overseas Filipino. The couple manifested symptoms last May 27 and were swabbed on May 29 were they tested positive. Contact tracing according to Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, Regional Epidemiologist, has been completed and most have fully recovered since the case was dated back in May.
Suba-an said that his office only receive the result of the genome sequencing today from the Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) after they sent the samples last June 11.
Following the confirmatory report, Suba-an said he has dispatched a team to Antique this morning to revalidate all close contacts to ensure that there are no additional layers of contact. A dedicated quarantine facility will also be set-up for those who will be identified as their contacts to ensure that these individuals will be separated from those who recently tested of COVID-19.
Suba-an advised the public to remain calm and encourage the public to be responsible enough in our fight against COVID-19 as he stressed that the virus has become a better enemy against all health initiatives being undertaken.
The 2 were part of the 16 new Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, based on the latest whole genome sequencing report from the Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH).
Of the sixteen total cases, 5 are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
One case arrived in the Philippines from the United Kingdom on April 26 and has been tagged as recovered after undergoing the 14-day quarantine period.
Another two of these cases arrived in the country last June 15 from Qatar and have also been tagged as recovered. The DOH is still verifying the arrival and quarantine status of the two other ROF cases.
As for the local cases, 6 cases have been detected in Region 10 and are part of a large cluster of cases, with dates of onset between 23 to 28 June. All have been tagged as recovered.
Two cases have also been detected in the National Capital Region. One case was tagged as dead after being rushed to the emergency room of a hospital on 28 June. The other case is an outpatient with an onset date of 23 June, who was tagged as recovered. One other case, an outpatient with an onset date of 27 June and was also tagged as recovered, was initially tested in the National Capital Region but has an indicative address in Region 3.
This story was updated to include the information shared by DOH Region 6 in its virtual presser.
