Iloilo City has 1st case of Delta variant despite strict curbs

ILOILO CITY—More than two months after being placed under the highest level of community quarantine, Iloilo City has recorded its first case of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

The infected 30-year-old man, who is unvaccinated for COVID-19, is under home quarantine, along with his wife, who is also infected, said City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a statement issued Thursday.

The couple’s two children tested negative for the disease and are staying with relatives.

“I ordered to place the residence and workplace under lockdown. Extensive contact tracing and (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing for the patient’s co-workers will also be conducted. As this is a Delta variant case, we will transfer the case to a separate quarantine facility so we can fully monitor him,” Treñas said.

The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) is considered more transmissible than the original strain and is believed to have triggered renewed surges of cases in several countries.

The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on July 9.

He has reported no travel history and no close contact in his workplace, according to the statement.

Samples from the patient were sent to the Philippine Genome Center for sequencing because of the high viral load. The city epidemiology and surveillance unit received the results Thursday.

“We assure you that the city government has put in place measures to handle the Delta variant. We just ask for everyone’s cooperation as we are doing everything we can to contain its possible spread, including aggressive contact tracing and intensified testing,” Treñas said.

Iloilo City has been under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) since May 23 due to a surge in cases and a high utilization rate of COVID-19 hospital beds and other facilities.

But the city government and business groups have appealed for a lower quarantine level citing the prolonged crippling effects on the economy.

The city’s ECQ status has again been extended until August 7.

lzb