Delta, source of COVID surge in Pangasinan
THE detection of 11 COVID-19-Delta variant in Pangasinan, the latest of whom were eight in the province and one in Dagupan City on August 27, was tagged as the main reason for the new surge of COVID-19 in the province.
This was the observation of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 1.
Dr. Rhuel Bobis, COVID-19 focal person in Region 1, said the community transmission of the Delta variant was also the same reason why cases peaked in Ilocos Norte two weeks ago: 32 Delta variant cases, 13 of which were detected only on August 27.
Speaking at the Virtual Presser hosted by PIA Region 1 on September 1, Bobis reported that Region 1 had already registered 49 Delta variants, the most transmissible of all the existing variants of concern: 32 in Ilocos Norte, 11 in Pangasinan, five in Ilocos Sur and one in Dagupan, an independent component city.
Meanwhile, as of September 1, Pangasinan chalked up the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in Region 1 with 3,519 dislodging Ilocos Norte. Dagupan logged 453 cases.
According to Bobis, cases are also surging in Ilocos Sur, registering 6.4 percent increase, La Union, 53.4 percent increase and Pangasinan, 31.8 percent.
While noting the surge of cases in Dagupan City, he said in contrast, the province of Ilocos Norte registered a phenomenal 19.7 percent drop of cases compared to its status during the third week of August.
Bobis said Region 1 registered an aggregate of 15.8 percent increase in COVID-19 cases, with an average of 579 cases per day.
On hospital bed utilization rate, Region 1 is considered at high risk with 70 percent utilization rate, with Dagupan City registering the highest at 85 percent; La Union, 81 percent; Pangasinan, 71 percent; and Ilocos Norte, 62 percent.
The utilization rate of intensive care units is 58 percent or moderate risk, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan is at safe zone, Dagupan City is still at moderate risk.
Bobis also said the recent surge of COVID-19 cases is the third surge recorded this year, The first was in January following the Christmas festivities in December, the second in April following the observance of the Holy Week and fiestas, and the third was July to August due to the incursion of the Delta variant that originated from India. (Leonardo Micua)
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