The Department of Health Western Visavas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) confirmed that it recorded 72 variants of concern (VOC) in the region.
The new cases include 53 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, seven (7) Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases and 12 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases.
The report is part of the latest batch of whole genome sequencing result released by the DOH, the University of the Philippines – Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines- National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) that was released yesterday, August 24.
It also recorded a total of 23 Theta (P.3) variant cases in the region. Theta (P.3) is classified as a variant of alert for further monitoring.
ON DELTA VARIANT CASES:
Of the additional 53 Delta variant, 52 were local cases. Of this, 21 were from Aklan, 16 from lloilo Province, 11 from lloilo City, and one each from Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Bacolod City. The DOH WV CHD is verifying one Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) found positive of Delta variant with indicative address in Bacolod City.
ON ALPHA VARIANT CASES:
Of the seven additional Alpha variant cases, three were from lloilo Province, two from Iloilo City, and one each from Bacolod City and Capiz. All seven were local cases.
ON BETA VARIANT CASES:
Of the 12 additional Beta variant, 11 were local cases. Of this, four were from Iloilo City, three from Iloilo Province, two from Guimaras, and one each from Antique and Bacolod City. One ROF with indicative address in Negros Occidental was also found positive of Beta variant.
ON P.3 VARIANT CASES:
The additional 23 P.3 cases were all local cases coming from Bacolod with 10, Iloilo City with seven, and lloilo Province with six.
In a statement, the DOH WV CHD advises local government units to conduct active case findings, aggressive contact tracing and testing, lowering the interval between detection and isolation/quarantine, and strengthening Prevent- Detect- Isolate- Treat and Reintegrate (PDITR) strategies. Vaccination and strict adherence to the minimum public health standards are also important interventions in preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 and its variants.
