PH detects 17 new cases of COVID-19 Delta variant

(MAM/CDC/Handout via REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Saturday detected 17 new COVID-19 Delta variant cases, 12 of which were tagged as “local cases,” the Department of Health (DOH) said.

This brings the total number of Delta variant cases in the country to 64.

“Of the additional 17 Delta variant cases, 12 are local cases, one returning overseas Filipino (ROF), while four cases are currently being verified if these are local or ROF cases,” the DOH said in a statement.

Only three of the 17 new cases remain active as fourteen already recovered, the DOH said.

Nine of the 12 new local cases are in Metro Manila while three are in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region.

Alpha, Beta variants

Meanwhile, 11 additional Alpha variant cases were likewise detected, 10 of which are local cases while the other one is being verified if it’s a local or an ROF case.

Of the new Alpha variant patients, seven have died, three have recovered and one remains active.

The new cases bring the total Alpha variant cases in the Philippines to 1,679.

Thirteen new Beta variant cases were also detected, bringing the total to 1,840, the DOH said.

Ten of the new cases are local while three are still under verification. Two of the patients have died, 10 have recovered and one remains active.

Two additional P.3 variant cases were also detected, one is a local case and another is still being verified. The DOH said both cases have already recovered.

Due to the threat of the Delta variant, the government has placed Metro Manila and the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte under general community quarantine “with heightened restrictions” until July 31.

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