CAPIZ – Two local cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province – a Delta variant and an Alpha variant – have recovered.
According to Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco, acting provincial health officer, one was a 16-year-old boy from Dumarao town. He was deemed recovered on Aug. 13.
The boy’s genome sequencing showed he was infected with the Alpha variant. The result was released on Aug. 23.
The boy was a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and had no history of travel outside Dumarao since June 2021.
The other case was an 84-year old male from Panay, Capiz – a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and without a history of travel outside his town.
This case – positive for the Delta variant – was deemed recovered on Aug. 12.
Nolasco said these two cases were coordinated with their respective local government units and were managed accordingly.
As of Aug. 23 Capiz had a total of 19 cases (local and returning overseas Filipinos) of various COVID-19 variants (two Alpha variant cases, 12 Beta variant cases, and five Delta variant cases).
The Alpha, Beta an Delta variants are considered “variants of concern” by the World Health Organization due to their easy transmissibility.
Alpha was first identified in the United Kingdom but which spread to more than 50 countries.
Beta, first identified in South Africa, a but which has been detected in at least 20 other countries.
Delta, first detected in India, appears to be spreading quickly in many countries./PN
