DOH: 319 new Delta cases detected, variant now most common lineage

The Department of Health (DOH) said Monday that the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus is now the most common lineage among sequenced samples of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. 

The DOH said 319 Delta variant cases were detected as of September 18, taking the nationwide tally to 3,027 or 24.16% of the 12,530 sequenced samples. 

Of the 319 new Delta variant cases, 40 were detected in Region 2, while Caraga had 31 cases. Calabarzon registered 26 cases, while Region 1 and the NCR posted 24 cases each.  Eighteen cases were traced to returning overseas Filipinos.

“This variant is now the most common lineage among sequenced samples as of the latest whole genome sequencing run,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press briefing. 

Beta and Alpha variants, meanwhile, accounted for 21.82% (2,734) and 19.64% (2,461) of the cases, respectively. Two samples or 0.02% were positive for the Gamma variant, while one sample belonged to the Lambda variant.

The DOH said nine Beta variant cases and 13 Alpha variant cases were recorded in the latest sequencing run. 

Variants of concern cases comprise 97.7% of sequenced samples last August, it said.

“The increased proportion of these variants can be attributed to their increased transmissibility. However, sampling methodology also affects these proportions as samples from target areas or populations are prioritized more,” Vergeire said.

“Such populations or areas include samples belonging to clusters, severe or critical cases, admitted cases, samples from areas with sudden increase in COVID-19 cases, fully vaccinated individuals, and cases from returning overseas Filipinos. Infections from these populations are more likely to be associated with variants of concern,” she added.

The Philippines reported 19,271 new infections on Sunday, bringing the country's total COVID-19 caseload to 2,366,749.—KG/AOL, GMA News