Philippines logs 116 new Delta variant cases, total now at 331

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 116 more cases of the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant, bringing the Philippines’ tally to 331.

The DOH said 95 of the newly reported Delta cases are local, one is a returning overseas Filipino (ROF), and 20 are undergoing verification.

Among the local cases, 83 are from Metro Manila, three are from Calabarzon, four are from Central Visayas, two are from the Davao region, and one case each was recorded in Zamboanga Peninsula, Cagayan Valley, and Ilocos region.

“All cases have been tagged as recovered. All other information is being validated by our regional and local health offices,” the DOH said.

The agency added that one earlier reported Delta variant case was removed from the tally after authorities verified that the same patient was tested in two different laboratories.

Meanwhile, the Philippines also logged 113 new Alpha variant cases, 122 Beta cases, and 10 new cases of the P.3 variant that first emerged in Central Visayas.

The country now has a total of 1,968 Alpha cases and 2,268 Beta cases.

Out of the latest Alpha cases, 104 are local, one is an ROF, and eight are undergoing verification. Two of these patients have died while 111 have been tagged as recovered.

Among the 122 new Beta infections, 104 are local, four are ROFs, and 14 are still undergoing verification. All patients have recovered from COVID-19.

Metro Manila is set to revert into a hard lockdown on August 6 to curb the spread of the Delta variant.

Earlier on Thursday, thousands of people flocked to various vaccination sites across Metro Manila after receiving false information claiming that unvaccinated individuals would not be given cash aid during the lockdown. 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has already asked the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the fake news. 

Malacañang, meanwhile, assured the public that the government will not run out of funds to provide cash aid for low-income families. 

Authorities earlier said that COVID-19 vaccination would proceed in Metro Manila even during the lockdown. -MDM, GMA News