Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the faithful to stay vigilant amid the threat of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

“Mayroon tayong threat ngayon especially sa Delta variant, kailangan na mag-prepare tayo para hindi mag-spread masyado itong vicious na Delta variant (We have this threat now, particularly the Delta variant. We need to be prepared so that this vicious Delta variant does not spread that much),” said Advincula in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

The prelate encouraged the faithful to get vaccinated against the viral illness for them to have a protection versus its severe form.

“Magpabakuna tayo, although sabi ng mga experts na hindi ito assurance na hindi na magka-COVID pero kung mahawaan man it seems na hindi serious or as severe yung ating kondisyon compared sa mga hindi nagpabakuna (Let's get vaccinated, although experts say that this is not an assurance that we will not get COVID, but if we are infected, it seems that our condition is not serious or as severe compared to those who are unvaccinated),” said Advincula.

Minimum public health standards must also be strictly followed, he said.

“Observe strictly the recommended health and safety protocols tulad ng pag-check ng temperature, pagsusuot ng facemask at face shields, paglalagay ng alcohol, (and) social distancing (Observe strictly the recommended health and safety protocols such as checking of temperature, wearing of face mask and face shields, use of alcohol, (and practice) social distancing)," he said.

At present, the Department of Health (DOH) has already reported 216 cases of Delta variant in the Philippines.

To curb its spread, the government will be placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under the strictest community quarantine level starting August 6 to 20.

On Saturday, the DOH recorded 8,147 new COVID-19 cases nationwide. This brought the total number of confirmed infections in the Philippines to 1,588, 965.