PANDAN, Antique – Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Jeremy Dioso Tan has called for mass testing for residents with symptoms similar to coronavirus disease 2019’s (COVID-19).
He made the call after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on July 16 two Delta variant COVID-19 cases in this town – Region 6’s first such cases.
But since the two cases were actually way back in May yet – the confirmation got delayed for some two months because of the slow genome sequencing of the Philippine Genome Center – contact tracing would now be difficult, said Tan.
Mass testing, he said, would be the most practical thing to do to ensure that the Delta variant of the virus causing COVID-19 won’t spread father.
The two cases were an elderly couple. The husband recovered but the wife died.
“May 29 pa na-record ‘yung cases, seven weeks ago. Mahirap na po yata mag-contact tracing,” said Tan.
Aside from mass testing, he also called for more COVID-19 vaccines or Pandan.
“Baka pwede po tayo makiusap sa Provincial Health Office,” said Tan.
He added: “Ako po mismo gusting-gusto na magpabakuna. Ako po ay nababahala sa ating mga kasimanwa dahil baka po magkaroon ulit ng discrimination sa mga Pandananons.”
The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, can spread more easily. The strain has mutations on the spike protein that make it easier for it to infect human cells./PN
