By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has recommended strengthened border control in order to prevent the possible entry of the more transmissible Delta variant of the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19. 

Dr. Anna Lisa Ong, DOH-6 Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist, said aside from border control, local government units (LGU) should also monitor all endorsed arrivals and the implementation of localized and granular lockdowns.

Ong has also recommended strengthening the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy in order to prevent the Delta variant from spreading out of control.

She also stressed the need for stricter compliance of minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and observing social distancing.

The LGUs were also advised that no mass gatherings should be observed as they have the potential to become a superspreader event.

Last week, both the provincial government of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City government have reimposed travel restrictions due to the threat posed by the Delta variant.

On Saturday, July 24, the Philippines detected 17 new COVID-19 Delta variant cases, 12 of which were tagged as “local cases,” according to the DOH.

This brings the total number of Delta variant cases in the country to 64.

The Delta variant was first reported in India and continues to wreak havoc in many countries./DGB, WDJ