The Department of Health (DOH) has recommended tighter border control and readiness of hospitals in the face of the threat of the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.
At the Inter-Agency Task Force meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday night, the DOH also recommended monitoring local government units (LGUs) on endorsed arrivals or those entering their jurisdictions and implementing localized lockdown.
“Despite the data showing that there is already local transmission, border control continues to be a very critical component that we hope will continue to slow entry of more individuals who are positive, not just for Delta but also other variants of concern that may be discovered in the future,” said Dr. Anna Ong Lim of DOH technical advisory group.
She said the health care system should also be strengthened, regardless of the quarantine classification of an area.
“Hindi po ‘yong ma-escalate tayo at saka lang naghahabol, dapat parating ready ang ating health care capacity,” said Lim.
At the same meeting, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana said the Delta variant is 60 percent more contagious than the Alpha or United Kingdom variant.
The Delta variant is also three times more contagious than the original virus, Salvana said.
Tightened border control recommended vs. Delta variant
It is said that up to 8 people can be infected by a patient who is positive for the Delta variant compared to the first virus that can infect 2 people.
In the latest DOH report, 55 more Delta variant cases were added this Sunday.
In total, there have been 119 confirmed Delta variant cases in the country.
Two were recorded in Bacoor, Cavite, according to Mayor Lani Mercado.
For former National Task Force Against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Tony Leachon, the country failed to deal with the Delta variant.
The Philippines has implemented a travel ban late compared to Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The DOH has also not reported Delta cases since April, the low number of COVID-19 tests, lack of contact tracing, and slow vaccination.
But for President Duterte, there is no shortage of vaccinations.
He said LGUs should just implement a better vaccination process.
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