Two COVID-19 Delta variant cases detected in Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY - Bohol province has detected its first two cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant, the Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) said on Monday.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant (B.1.617.2), which is highly contagious  strain, was first identified in India in December.

In Bohol, the Delta cases were detected in Tagbilaran City and Candijay town.

The first case came from Barangay Ubujan in Tagbilaran City who works outside of the city.

The patient, who has already recovered, had contact with an infected person.

Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II said the presence of Delta variant is "alarming".

Yap has asked residents to follow health protocols and to have themselves vaccinated.

The second case was an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Barangay Pagahat in Candijay town.

Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes, Candijay municipal disaster risk reduction management officer, said the patient had already recovered before she arrived in Bohol. She underwent quarantine in Pampanga.

According to the BIATF, one Alpha (UK) variant case, 8 Beta (South African) variant cases, and 14 P3 or variant under investigation (VUI) were detected in Bohol province.

As of Aug.17,  the health authorities have reported 791 active cases that pushed the total number of cases to 10,909. At least  236 have died from the infection. -- BAP, GMA News