DoH confirms 3rd Delta variant fatality
The Department of Health (DoH) on Monday confirmed the death of Covid-19 Delta variant cases in Antique, which was initially tagged as recovered by the agency.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 78-year-old woman from Baybay in Antique was initially reported as recovered but upon validation with her local government unit (LGU), the patient had died on 30 May.
The latest fatality pushed the total Delta variant deaths in the country to three.
Previously announced Delta-related deaths include a 63-year-old male crew member from the ill-fated MV Athens Bridge who died on 19 May.
The Health official said all the cases will have to remain in isolation facilities while waiting for the results. Those who will be tested negative, asymptomatic, and have completed the minimum 10-day isolation may be discharged from isolation.
The second reported Delta-related death was the 58-year-old female local case from Pandacan in Manila who died on 28 June.
Vergeire said the 32 of the 35 Delta variant cases that were detected in the country who were initially tagged as recovered by their respective LGU will be tested and quarantined.
“All Delta variant cases are immediately reassessed to determine their current clinical, laboratory and isolation status,” she said.
“They shall be swabbed for repeat RT-PCR at end of their isolation or upon determination that they were positive for the delta variant,” she added.
The Health official said all the cases will have to remain in isolation facilities while waiting for the results. Those who will be tested negative, asymptomatic, and have completed the minimum 10-day isolation may be discharged from isolation.
She said the initial contact tracing data will be reviewed to identify if the close contacts of who will be positive with the RT-PCR test are eligible for whole genome sequencing.
So far, she added that the contact tracing of the Delta variant cases in the country turned out to be “good” as the agency was able to identify and quarantine them.
She also the Health department is just waiting for the arrival of the procured equipment to improve the genome sequencing in the country.
“Just like what we always say, we are trying to expand our capacity. Our capacity now is 750 samples per week, it will be doubled to 1,500 per week once the extraction machines arrive,” she added.
Vergeire reminded the public to be more cautious as the possibility of local transmission of the highly-transmissible Delta variant could not be eliminated.
“The public should be cautious, let us assume that there is a transmission, so we will be more protected, we will be more cautious and let us comply with the protocols as this is really highlytransmissible,” she added.