MANILA, Jul 23 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH), confirmed local transmission of the highly infectious Delta variant, first detected in India.
“Following the phylogenetic analysis conducted by the University of the Philippines, Philippine Genome Centre, and case investigation by the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, and the regional and local epidemiology and surveillance units, clusters of Delta variant cases were seen to be linked to other local cases, therefore, exhibiting local transmission,” the DOH said in a statement late last night.
The Philippines detected 47 Delta variant cases in the country, so far. Eight patients linked to the variant are active, while three have died, the DOH said.
The Philippines first detected the Delta variant from samples taken from returning overseas Filipinos. But the variant is now detected from local residents, including in Metro Manila.– NNN-PNA
