ILOILO – The Delta variant cases of the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rose to 50 here on Sept. 24.
Eleven new such cases were recorded by the Provincial Heath Office (PHO). They were from the towns of Pavia (seven), Leon (one), Dumangas (one), Pototan (one), and Alimodian (one).
All of these were local cases, according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, PHO head.
Their specimens were sent to the Philippine Genome Center in Metro Manila for sequencing in the last week of August yet. The results came out just this Friday.
Thus, said Quiñon, the status of these cases were unknown as of press time – whether they have recovered, still battling the disease or have died.
The PHO asked the rural health units (RHUs) of the areas where these cases came from to check.
The Delta variant is deemed to be more transmissible and virulent than the original COVID-19 virus.
Of the now 50 Delta cases in the province, 39 came from the following towns: Oton (nine), Pavia (four), Santa Barbara (three), Leganes (three), Dingle (three), Zarraga (two), Janiuay (two), Alimodian (two), Guimbal (one), Banate (one), San Miguel (one), Cabatuan (one), Concepcion (one), Carles (one), Igbaras (one), San Dionsio (one), Lambunao (one), and San Joaquin (one).
Quiñon again appealed for the continued observance of the health protocols – no mass gatherings, don’t leave home unless necessary, wearing of facemasks, and proper hand washing or disinfection.
As of Sept. 23, the province’s active COVID-19 cases (regardless of variants) stood at 6,173 active cases; 24,138 have recovered while 741 died./PN
