13 out of 17 regions in PH have Delta variant cases — DOH

Citizens wanting to get inoculated of the anti COVID-19 vaccine, flock to a mall Antipolo City on Thursday, August 5, on the eve of the two week lockdown or ECQ which will be imposed by the government in Metro Manila from Aug.6-20, to curb the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. (INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen of the 17 regions in the country have detected local cases of the feared highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

So far, the Philippines has detected 450 cases of the Delta variant, of which 355 are local cases, 69 are returning overseas Filipinos, while 26 are still being verified, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

The number of deaths among Delta cases rose to 10 while there are 13 active cases after validation and repeat swab tests.

Vergeire said more than half (55%) of the individuals infected with the COVID-19 Delta variant are males.

The DOH earlier said the Delta variant has been detected in all cities and the lone municipality in Metro Manila.

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