LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Two cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Delta variant have been detected in Bicol region based on the genome sequencing result of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol confirmed Friday afternoon.Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH Bicol regional director, said that the two cases of the Delta variant or also known as Indian variant was detected from Legazpi City and in Nabua, Camarines Sur.“On initial investigation the Legazpi City Delta case slinked with a confirmed COVID-19 case from Malilipot, Albay, while the Nabua case works in a nearby municipality (Bula) in Camarines Sur. The father of Nabua case also contracted the virus,” Vera said.According to Vera, aside from the two cases of Delta variant, there are also 33 other cases involving two different COVID-19 variants of concern.He said that 11 cases of the UK variant or known as Alpha variant were detected in Bicol.“This is reported on July 21, 2021, Camarines Sur has seven cases of Alpha variant, Iriga City has one, Naga City has one, Masbate has one, and Sorsogon has one case,” Vera said.Twenty-two cases of the South African variant or known as Beta variant were also detected in Bicol. “Reported last July 20, 2021, Albay has three cases of Beta variant, Legazpi has three, Tabaco City has two, Camarines Norte has one, Camarines Sur has eight, Naga City has four, and Sorsogon has one case,” he added.Dr. Ferchito Avelino, DOH Bicol assistant regional director, urged peoplw to strictly follow the minimum health protocols to avoid the spread of the deadly virus.“Gusto ko lang po na i-underscore o ipaliwanag na ang Delta variant ay may kapasidad na mag-infect ng walo katao. Mas mabilis at mas infectious po ang kanyang kapasidad at mas marami ang kanyang ma-infect. Base po sa mga kaalaman ngayon sa Delta, even at a short period of time, before po ay 15 minutes, ngayon po yung mga kaso, in a matter of two minutes ay nakikitaan na siya agad. Ito po ay nakakabahala, wag tayong maging komportable sa dalawa lang ang kaso ng Delta variant,” Avelino said.