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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No community spread of Delta COVID-19 variant in PH yet -- Genome Center

No community spread of Delta COVID-19 variant in PH yet -- Genome Center

Published Jun 21, 2021 02:34 pm

(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Monday, June 21, said it has not yet seen a community transmission in the country brought by the Delta coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant first detected in India.

"Sa ngayon, meron tayong 17 all-in-all na mga Delta variants na na-whole genome sequencing sa PGC at lahat sila puro (So far, we have 17 all-in-all Delta variants that have undergone whole genome sequencing at PGC and they are all from) international travelers," PGC Executive Director Cynthia Saloma said at a Malacañang press briefing.

"Na-contain sila kasi nakaquarantine sila. So far, sa ports of entry walang community transmission (They were contained because they were in quarantine. So far, the Delta variant was just seen at the ports of entry therefore there was no community transmission," she pointed out.

While there is no community spread of the Delta variant in the Philippines yet, Saloma said the country should take this as a "unique opportunity" to prevent its entry and spread in the communities by implementing a "strong border control."

She explained that an individual infected with the Alpha variant--a variant first detected in the United Kingdom--could infect four or five persons.

Saloma said the Delta variant is "60 percent more transmissible" as an infected individual may transmit the virus to up to eight persons.

"The Delta variant is rapidly spreading around the world. Sinasabi ng WHO sa (WHO is saying the Delta variant in) Europe that it is poised to take hold in the region. At nakikita na po natin itong (And we have seen this) Delta variant in 80 countries around the world according to the WHO," Saloma said.

She also cited studies in Southern China showing that the Delta variant could cause more severe COVID-19 symptoms and a higher fatality rate.

"Kailangan talaga pagtibayin yung ating border controls. Magsikap po tayo na wag makapasok at hindi makaspread (We really need to strengthen our border controls. Let's try everything we can to prevent its entry and spread into the communities)," she said.

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