LEGAZPI CITY – As the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases continued to rise in Region 5 (Bicol), a similar spike was observed in the incidence of new variants of concern (VOCs), including the highly transmissible Delta, health authorities said Tuesday.
The Department of Health-Bicol Region (DOH-5) said in a report that it has detected 20 new VOC cases, which brought to 184 the total VOCs recorded as of Sept. 27.
Of the new cases, one was Alpha, three were Beta and 16 were Delta. For the cumulative number, 78 were Delta, 70 were Beta, and 36 were Alpha, said Dr. Aurora Daluro, DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) chief.
The provinces with the most number of VOC cases are Camarines Sur with 53; followed by Masbate, 34; and Albay, 29.
The new VOC cases were based on the genomic sequencing result from the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) received by the RESU.
RESU, however, said these numbers are based on the specimens submitted and do not reflect the total number of circulating variants in the community.
Bicol currently has 11,390 active Covid-19 cases. (PNA)
