Delta variant cases in Davao, Tagum reported

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Health authorities have confirmed that a 28-year-old woman became the first Delta variant case of COVID in this city.

The patient underwent swab test on June 26 after she was exposed to an officemate who tested positive for the virus.

The city health office received the confirmatory test results of the patient from the UP-Philippine Genome Center on July 24.

The patient has completed the required isolation period of 14 days and has since recovered. She was fully vaccinated before she was exposed to the virus.

The Davao City Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit will reinvestigate, repeat test and isolate up to third generation contacts of the patient.

The Davao COVID task force reiterated its appeal to residents to follow the minimum health standards to prevent the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, in Tagum City, a 22-year-old woman became the first confirmed local case of the Delta variant.

Authorities expressed belief that the patient, whose index case could not be traced, could be considered a “community transmission,” city health officer Arnel Florendo said.

The woman has no travel history.

Florendo said he was ordered to “reinvestigate” the case.

“We will have a better idea after the reinvestigation tomorrow,” he said.