The Department of Health on Monday, August 23, reported the detection of 466 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, 90 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 105 Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and 41 P.3 variant cases in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing.
In a statement, the DOH said, of the additional 466 Delta variant cases, 442 are local cases, 14 are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF), and 10 cases are currently being verified if local or ROF cases.
The Health department said of the 442 local cases, 201 cases had indicated addresses in the National Capital Region, while 69 cases had indicated addresses in Central Luzon, seven in Cagayan Valley, 49 cases in CALABARZON, 14 cases in MIMAROPA, four cases in Bicol Region, 52 cases in Western Visayas, 19 cases in Central Visayas, six cases in Northern Mindanao, 11 cases in Davao Region, seven cases in SOCCSKSARGEN, and three cases in the Ilocos Region.
"Based on the case line list, one is still active, eight cases have died, while 457 cases have been tagged as recovered. All other details are being validated by the regional and local health offices," it said.
DOH added that the total Delta variant cases in the country are now 1,273.
As to the additional 90 Alpha variant cases detected, the Health department said, 89 were local cases and one case is currently being verified if local or ROF case.
It added that based on the case line list, one case is still active, one case has died, and 88 cases have been tagged as recovered.
The DOH said the total Alpha variant cases are now 2,322.
With regard to the additional 105 Beta variant cases, the DOH said, 101 were local cases and 4 cases were ROFs.
"Based on the case line list, four cases have died, 99 cases have been tagged as recovered, and two cases with outcomes that are being verified," it said.
"The total Beta variant cases are now 2,588," added the DOH.
The Health department also said that the 41 additional P.3 variant cases were all local cases.
The DOH said 40 cases have been tagged as recovered while one case has an outcome that is being verified.
The DOH, meantime, clarified that the government needs further evidence to support the announcement of the whole country to have community transmission of the Delta variant.
"However, community transmission was identified in Region IV-A and in NCR based on the following observations: large numbers of Delta cases and case investigations and phylogenetic analysis showed that these cases cannot be epidemiologically linked to each other nor source/s of infection determined," it said.
The Health department said analysis of the latest sequencing results for the determination of community transmission is ongoing for other regions.
It added that the DOH, the national government, and the local government units, have since responded as if there is already community transmission.