DOH data: 16 COVID-19 Delta variant cases are active, 5 led to deaths

(FILE) The Swab Cab initiative of the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo returned to Imus, Cavite, July 10 to 11, 2021, offering free antigen testing in identified areas to help in local government efforts against COVID-19. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

MANILA, Philippines — There are 16 active cases and five deaths among the 119 total Delta variant cases of COVID-19 in the country, data from the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday showed.

Data presented by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online media briefing also showed that 98 cases of the highly contagious variant have already recovered.

These figures are different from the bio-surveillance report dated July 24 where the DOH stated that of the Delta variant cases, 12 are active, four have died, and 103 have recovered.

The DOH has yet to clarify if the additional four active cases were detected in a retesting of the recovered cases.

There were still no details released about the fourth and fifth deaths among the patients, as of posting.

Earlier, the health department said the first three deaths include a 63-year-old male crewmember of the MV Athens cargo ship who died on May 19; a 78-year old woman from Baybay, Antique, who died on May 30; and a 58-year-old woman from Pandacan, Manila who died on June 28.

Meanwhile, the DOH data also showed that of the 119 cases recorded, 77 were detected locally and 42 are from returning overseas Filipinos or those that were detected at the country’s borders.

Sixty-five of the cases are male and 54 are female. Their ages range from 1 to 79 years.

On their vaccination status, six have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while seven have received only one dose. Vergeire earlier said that those who have been vaccinated only experienced mild to no symptoms of the disease.

The DOH said 29 of the cases were not vaccinated. The department is still verifying the vaccination status of the 77 other cases.

/MUF