COVID-19 Delta variant cases spike in Caraga

The Caraga Region in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — The Caraga region has recorded 39 cases of various COVID-19 variants, the Department of Health (DOH) said, citing results of genome sequencing done by the Philippine Genome Center.

The DOH sent the samples last August.

The more transmissible Delta variant topped the list with 32 cases, followed by the Alpha variant with three, the Beta variant with three, and the P.3 variant with one.

Surigao del Sur recorded the most Delta variant cases at 12 —  six in Carmen town, two each in Tandag City and Lanuza town, and one each in Carrascal and Madrid towns.

Agusan del Sur registered eight Delta variant cases of which seven are in San Francisco town and one in Bayugan City.

Seven Delta variant cases were found in Agusan del Norte, three in Las Nieves town, and one each in Cabadbaran City and in the towns of Carmen, Kitcharao, and Nasipit.

Butuan City, the regional capital, has four Delta cases, and one was detected in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

Of the three Alpha variant cases, two are in Butuan City and one in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

Two of the three Beta variant cases are from Cabadbaran City and one is in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. The lone P.3 variant case is in Butuan City.

According to the DOH office in Caraga, 56 percent of the cases are close contacts of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 and 54 percent of them are unvaccinated.

As of Friday, 34 of the 39 cases had recovered, two still showed mild symptoms, and three had died.

“With the detection of more Delta and other variants of concern in the region, we will not falter in reminding everyone to take active participation in helping us end this pandemic. With or without variants, our management, and measures are still the same,” the DOH-Caraga said.

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