The Department of Health (DOH) said that not all individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 or the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have experienced the same signs and symptoms.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that it is difficult to differentiate if there are specific symptoms that can be associated with the different coronavirus variants, such as the Delta variant.
“We really cannot differentiate at this point kung ano ang Delta at hindi Delta na variant o kaya mga sintomas (We really can't differentiate at this point if it is Delta or not or through symptoms),” said Vergeire in an online forum.
“Maraming nakakapagsabi, anecdotal---- wala ng loss of taste, loss of smell. But remember, even with the other variants, hindi naman lahat ng nagka-COVID 19 ay may loss of taste or loss of smell. Lahat naman ay nagkakaiba-iba ang presentasyon ng pagkakasakit dito sa COVID-19 (Some anecdotal reports said - there is already no loss of taste or smell. But remember, even with the other variants, not everyone with COVID-19 has experienced loss of taste or loss of smell. Every person has a different presentation of symptoms in COVID-19),” she added.
Vergeire made the statements amid reports that the Delta coronavirus variant presents different symptoms as compared to the original virus.
Reports said that some of the symptoms of Delta variant are allergy-like such as sneezing and runny nose. The common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of smell, and loss of taste.
The DOH advised the public that they should consider that all new COVID-19 cases being detected are caused by the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant.
“We should all asume na kung na kung anuman ang nagtatransmit sa atin ngayon, we assume ito ay Delta variant--kung ano man ang maging sintomas (We should all assume that it is already the Delta variant regardless of the symptoms),” said Vergeire.
“Kung ano man ang sintomas na meron tayo dIyan ngayon, basta lagi tayong high index of suspicion dahil alam natin ang transmission ay napakabilis (Whatever symptoms we have, we must have that high index of suspicion because we know the transmission (of this variant) is very fast),” she added.
Vergeire said that it is important to consult health authorities if they already experience any symptoms related to COVID-19 and strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards.
“In this manner, mapuputol ang transmission, maproproteksyunan niyo ang mga mahal sa buhay (In this manner, the transmission will be cut off and you will be able to protect your loved ones),” she said.