DOH reports 40 more COVID-19 variant cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday the detection of 40 more cases of COVID-19 variants in the country.

The DOH confirmed the detection of four new Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, 14 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 21 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and one Theta (P.3) variant case based on the latest whole-genome sequencing report.

Delta variant

According to DOH, three of the additional Delta variant cases are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) from the MV Eastern Hope, a ship currently docked in South Korea.

The ROFs were repatriated to the Philippines on June 3 when they were found positive for COVID-19 in South Korea. Two of them have completed the 10-day quarantine after arrival in the Philippines and were already discharged, while one is still admitted in a hospital in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the fourth Delta case is another ROF who arrived from Saudi Arabia on May 24. The DOH said the patient has completed his quarantine, was tagged as recovered on June 10, and was already discharged. He is now under strict home quarantine.

The DOH said there are now 17 cases of the Delta variant in the Philippines. This more contagious variant was first detected in India.

Alpha variant

Of the additional 14 Alpha variant cases, 12 are local cases while two are being verified if they are local or ROF cases.

According to DOH, two cases have died and 12 cases have been tagged as recovered.

The total cases in the country of the Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, is now 1,085.

Beta variant

Of the additional 21 Beta variant cases, 20 are local cases while one is being verified if he is a local or ROF case. The DOH said 20 cases have been tagged as recovered and one case is currently active.

There are now 1,267 total Beta variant cases in the country. The Beta variant was first detected in South Africa.

Theta variant

Health authorities are still verifying if the new Theta variant case is a local or ROF case. The case has already been tagged as recovered.

“Currently, the Theta variant is not identified as a variant of concern since more data is needed to conclude whether the variant will have significant public health implications,” the DOH said in a statement.

The Theta variant was first detected in the Philippines.

“The DOH, UP-PGC (University of the Philippines – Philippine Genome Center), and UP-NIH (University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health) 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 health department added.

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