By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he sees a big problem if the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 infiltrates Negros Occidental.
“If ever it will happen, we will not be ready. We just really hope that we can prevent it by calling on Negrenses to follow the minimum health protocols, avoid gatherings and leisure travel,” Lacson said.
The Delta variant, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 strain that causes COVID, was first identified in India and has already been detected in various parts of the Philippines, including Antique and Iloilo.
Earlier, the provincial government required all inbound travelers, including those from Panay, to present negative RT-PCR results upon entry to Negros Occidental until Aug. 31.
The COVID-19 variants detected in Negros Occidental were the Alpha and Beta mutations, the Department of Health Western Visayas said.
It added that Alpha and Beta are also more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2, although less transmissible compared to the Delta variant.
“We have to be as careful as before, as the treatment remains the same, whether for Delta or Alpha variants,” said Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
