The Department of Health (DOH) reported the detection of 520 cases of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), 83 Beta variant (B.1.351), and 64 Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing conducted by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).
Of the 748 samples sequenced, Dr. Alethea De Guzman,DOH Epidemiology Bureau director, 69.52 percent were positive from Delta variant, 11.10 percent of samples were positive for the Beta variant, and 56 percent were positive from the Alpha variant.
As of the November 1, De Guzman said that the Delta variant (B.1.617.2; Indian lineage) is the most common lineage (32.14 percent) nationally among sequenced samples.
She said that once detected in a region, it becomes the more common lineage.
“Percent of Delta variant detected increased from 4.9 percent in June to 99.8 percent of lineages detected in October,” she said.
The Beta variant (B.1.351; South African lineage) comprises 21.47 percent among all samples sequenced, making it the second most common lineage.
De Guzman said that 18.72 percent or 3,106 samples positive for the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7; UK lineage) while 0.02 percent or 3 samples positive for the Gamma variant (P.1; Brazilian lineage).