PH Genome Center: Hard to say NCR may soon be ‘Delta resilient’

MANILA, Philippines — It is hard to say that Metro Manila may soon be resilient against the COVID-19 Delta variant in the coming months, Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said Wednesday.

While vaccination is key to protect people against the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, Saloma said that adhering to health protocols like wearing face masks and observing physical distance remains just as important.

“Whether or not we are Delta resilient, mahirap po magsabi ng ganyan,” Saloma said in a televised briefing.

(Whether or not we are Delta resilient, it’s hard to say that.)

“Pero gusto ko lang ipahiwatig na talagang importante po na magpa-vaccinate, that’s very important. At kahit po tayo ay vaccinated, wag pa rin po natin kalimutan na i-practice yung mga minimum health standards,” she added.

(But I just want to say that getting vaccinated is really important. And even if we are vaccinated, let’s not forget to practice the minimum health standards.)

Saloma was reacting to an OCTA Research fellow’s statement that Metro Manila may soon be “Delta resilient” considering each local government unit in the region has vaccinated at least one dose to 20 to 70 percent of their population.

The Philippines recorded 19 cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, said to be more transmissible, as of July 5.

Meanwhile, the country’s total active cases went up to 49,613 after over 4,000 new cases were recorded on Tuesday, July 6.

EDV