The Department of Health (DOH) reported 12 new local cases of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus in the Philippines.
Of the new cases, the DOH said that six cases were found in Central Luzon, three cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), two cases in Calabarzon, and one case in the Bicol region.
“All cases have been tagged as recovered but their outcomes are being validated by our regional and local health offices,” the DOH said in a statement on Thursday, July 22.
The total Delta variant cases in the Philippines stood at 47, of which, 23 are considered local cases.
“With the detection of additional cases, it is crucial that we implement enhanced response immediately in the areas where these cases were detected and its contiguous LGUs (local government units), as well as areas with case spikes with the premise that there may be ongoing local transmission already,” the DOH said.
Meanwhile, the DOH also reported 187 new Alpha variant cases, 142 Beta variant cases, and 12 P.3 variant cases.
The total number of Alpha variant cases in the Philippines is now at 1,668, Beta variant cases at 1,827, P.3 variant at 233, while the Gamma variant cases remain at two.
“With the detection of local cases with the Delta variant and other variants of concern, the public must strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards and continue to avoid enclosed spaces and mass gatherings,” the DOH said.
The DOH also reminded the public and local government units that continued implementation of prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate (PDITR) strategies and “increased vaccination of the priority groups are necessary to control the further transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.”