Pangasinan's first Delta variant case is a seafarer; places of close contact identified

Pangasinan logs first Delta variant case
Jerick James Pasiliao August 9, 2021 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149813

NATIVIDAD, Pangasinan – A returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) here has contracted the more infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Delta variant, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed on Monday.

In a radio interview, PHO chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman said the patient is a seafarer who arrived in the country on July 13.

She said the patient went home here on Aug. 3 after completing his mandatory quarantine in Manila.

De Guzman said he arrived at the drop-off point in Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) along with 20 other returning OFWs.

“He was tested positive for Covid-19 when he arrived in the country but before he was sent home, he was able to complete his quarantine and was considered as recovered,” de Guzman said adding that he was later on found positive for the Delta variant.

De Guzman said the patient, together with his family, is now under the 14-day mandatory quarantine while being observed by health authorities.

The result of genome sequencing for the Delta variant might take three to four weeks, she added.

De Guzman further said among his close contacts were from Alaminos City, Binalonan, Bayambang, Dagupan City, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Rosales, and Sto. Tomas towns in Pangasinan; and Bauang town in La Union, Bantay, Narvacan, Santiago, and Tagudin towns in Ilocos Sur and Manabo, Abra.

“We are now coordinating with the concerned local government units to find these individuals and be scheduled for reswabbing,” she added.

The Delta variant of the B.1.617 was first detected in India sometime in September 2020, and is known for its high transmissibility.

Studies have shown that the Delta variant could be able to infect up to eight individuals with its high viral load. (PNA)