Calamba City Mayor Timmy Chipeco said he was unaware of the 2 recorded cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant in his city.
“Hindi naman nila inire-report sa akin eh. ‘Yan ang hirap sa kanila eh, sila ang nakakaalam. Hindi naman sila nagte-text sa akin na may variant kami. Siguro ‘yung pinadalang swabbing, sa kanila ginawa, hindi naman sa amin,” said Chipeco.
In a telephone interview with DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, he confirmed to ABS-CBN News that two cases of Delta variant were recorded in Calamba City.
This is the first Delta variant recorded by the DOH, not only in the city but also in the Calabarzon region.
He said they have already contacted the local government unit and are ready to conduct contact tracing.
“Actually, na-inform na ang ating LGU… Nag-i-start na silang mag-assess ng area at the same time. Kung may iko-contact trace, ready to contact trace na,” said Janairo.
Chipeco angrily asks who the DOH spoke to in the city. He said the mayor should not be neglected to be informed, especially of such information.
Calamba mayor allegedly not informed about 2 Delta variant cases in his city
“Dapat, ako ang unang sinabihan nila, ‘yung Mayor. Hindi ibang tao. Itatago nila, papaano ko mase-secure yung tao?” said Chipeco.
The mayor will meet with the city health office to find out the said variant’s details and ask who is talking to the Department of Health-Calabarzon.
In the message sent by Dr. Dennis Labro, health officer of Calamba City, he said it is still under investigation by the DOH, and they are still waiting for the result.
Currently, there are 589 active COVID-19 cases in Calamba City, out of a total of 10,155. Some 197 died, and 9,369 were cured.
Meanwhile, hospitals are also now concerned about the possible impact of the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.
At the Senate subcommittee on health hearing on the Pandemic Protection Act proposal, Dr. Jaime Almora, president of the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), said they are more afraid of the new variant that could cause more cases.
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