ILOILO – Three variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have so far been detected in this province – the Alpha, Beta and Theta (P.3). These variants were detected through genome sequencing at the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) in 30 individuals with no travel history outside Region 6.
Fifteen had the Alpha, 14 had Beta and one had the Theta, according to Atty. Suzette Mamon, acting provincial administrator.
The 30 cases tested positive in May 2021 yet and have already recovered, Mamon stressed.
Currently, concerned local government units (LGUs) were “backtracking” the cases to trace their close contacts and exposures.
Mamon, however, did not say which LGUs. Consolidation of data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) is still ongoing, she said.
The Alpha variant was initially detected in the United Kingdom while Beta was in South Africa in December 2020.
The Theta, on the other hand, was a new COVID-19 variant officially designated as Lineage “P.3” detected in the Philippines on March 10, 2021, according to the PGC.
The variant was found from local samples in Central Visayas, collected on the same dates where there was a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases recorded in the region.
‘NO ADJUSTMENTS’
Strict observance of health and safety protocols should still be followed, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. These include the wearing facemask, social distancing, ban on gatherings, and travel restrictions, among others.
“Dugay na ‘na sila (variants) but they are infectious ha…puede sa isa ka office ubos kamo,” Defensor said.
The provincial government’s approach would still be still the same, he added.
Defensor is also in talks with the DOH so the province can start inoculating its economic frontliners (A4 group). He has since pointed out that rapid COVID transmission may have been due to this group as they are the ones frequently outdoors.
Meanwhile, Defensor said the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) of the district hospitals was at 50 to 60 percent, or nearing critical level.
Defensor said he was coordinating with the DOH on how they could increase their bed capacity.
‘MODERATE GCQ’
As of July 19, the province’s Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) was 7.27 (considered high) while its two-week growth rate (TWGR) was negative 1.54 percent (low).
Based on these, according to Defensor, the province may be at “moderate GCQ (general community quarantine), not the current ECQ (enhanced community quarantine).”
However, the governor clarified that the province is under ECQ due to the rising COVID-19 cases and its HCUR.
92% LOCAL CASES
On the other hand, the PHO confirmed that 92 percent of the total COVID-19 cases in the province were local cases.
As of July 20, Iloilo had 15,210 total confirmed COVID-19 cases – 13,986 were local cases.
Meanwhile, a total of 812 or five percent were locally stranded individual (LSIs), 298 or two percent were returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and 114 or one percent were authorized persons outside residence (APORs).
The towns with the highest total confirmed cases (as of July 20) were Oton (1,354), Passi City (1,086), Pavia (937), Santa Barbara (838), Miag-ao (640), Pototan (572), Concepcion (545), San Joaquin (522), Guimbal (501), and Leganes (438).
As to the deaths, Pavia had 30, Oton (29), Barotac Nuevo (22), Santa Barbara (20), Banate (16), Leganes (16), Passi City (14), Pototan (14), Miag-ao (14), and Tigbauan (14).
The province is also recording 138 average cases per day from July 1 to 20./PN
