The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported the detection of additional 633 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, six Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and three Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing conducted by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC).
“Very recent ’yang mga ’yan [That report on variants is very recent],” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at an online media forum, referring to the latest 748 samples in September and results were released on October 16.
The Delta variant is the most common lineage (29.2 percent) among sequenced samples nationally.
“The Beta variant comprises 21.8 percent among all samples sequenced, making it the second most common lineage, 19.4 percent or 2,935 samples positive for the Alpha variant, and 0.02 percent or three samples positive for the Gamma variant,” Vergeire said.
“All regions and all National Capital Region [NCR] city/municipality either have Alpha or Beta variants detected,” Vergeire said.
The P.3 variant, while initially observed in only one region, is now detected in all regions.
“Local cases of Alpha and Beta can be directly linked to an introduction by an incoming international traveler,” Vergeire said noting that the Delta variant, initially detected from ROFs (returning overseas Filipinos), is now detected in all 17 regions and all NCR city/municipality as well.
Of 961 ROF samples sequenced, 645 (67 percent) were positive for a variant of concern.