AUTHORITIES are reviewing the case of the recovered Delta variant patient, including re-tracing the first-generation contacts.
This, even as the city government continues to apply the national COVID-19 response of test, trace, isolate, or treat after confirmation of the variant in the city by the Department of Health (DOH).
The city’s first Delta case is a 28-year-old female who was swabbed on June 26, 2021. She was exposed to her officemate who was a confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 positive case.
The Davao City Health Office (CHO), however, only received the confirmatory results of the surveillance test from the UP-Philippine Genome Center on July 24, 2021.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, Davao City COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson said the patient has completed the required 14-day isolation period and has since recovered. She already received two doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccines, although the second dose was administered after the isolation.
Mayor Sara Duterte said the DOH conducted a series of meetings regarding the city’s first Delta case and they were given instructions on how to move forward in addressing it.
“First, immediately locate the cases. Get updated clinical and laboratory data. If the case is admitted to a facility, make sure he/she is correctly isolated. If the case is already at home, facilitate quarantine in a facility. If asymptomatic and with negative RT-PCR, may be discharged,” the mayor said during her Special Hours program aired over 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday afternoon.
The DOH, according to her, also advised that immediate contact tracing must be done. Although third-generation contact tracing is recommended, the location of close contacts needs to be prioritized. If the patient has completed a 14-day quarantine from the last exposure, remains asymptomatic, and yields a negative RT-PCR result, she may be discharged.
Mayor Duterte said, “Sa makita nato diri, naa syay additional nga RT-PCR testing (There is additional RT-PCR testing for a Delta case). Increase detection and ensure immediate isolation and quarantine. Granular lockdown, which is naa sa atoang (in our) action plan as well as how to look for cases or active case finding. Test all cases using RT-PCR and ensure all cases and close contacts are in a facility.”
She said that the DOH also recommended a designated facility for COVID-19 Delta variant cases.
The mayor, however, reiterated that the city will continue to conduct F1, F2, and F3; influenza-like illnesses (ILI); and surveillance testings.
Meanwhile, Dr. Schossler assured Davaoeños that the Delta case was already located. She had no history of travel and her whereabouts were properly tracked. She may undergo another isolation to make sure that the chain of transmission within her close contacts has been cut off. Since she was fully vaccinated with anti-COVID-19 shots, her mild symptoms did not progress.
She added, “I have to assume dakong tabang ang vaccine (the vaccine greatly helped).”
She also encouraged the public to continue complying with the existing COVID-19 protocols and guidelines and adhering to public minimum health standards. “Following minimum health protocols is a good enough contribution to prevent the massive spread of infection. Pa vaccine jud ta para maprotekthan atong sarili (We should get vaccinated to protect ourselves),” she said.
