A patient from Davao Oriental who died of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) was positive for the Beta variant, which was first detected in South Africa.
In a statement Thursday night, the provincial government, citing the official report from the Provincial Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (PESU), said the swab specimen was taken from a 63-year-old male from Mati City who died on May 17 was positive for the variant based on results on July 8.
The deceased patient, who was admitted at the Davao Regional Medical Center on May 9, died of respiratory failure secondary to acute distress syndrome, secondary to Covid-19 pneumonia.
“He had also endured comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes,” the statement read.
The South African variant is considered among the variants of concern. Along with other variants, the South African variant, also known as 501.V2 or B.1.351, is a result of a mutation of the SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19.
It also carries a mutation that appears to make it more contagious or easy to spread. The Provincial Task Force Covid-19 advised the public to strictly adhere to the standard health protocols and to abide by the current quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
The task force advised residents to have themselves vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat said since the beginning of the pandemic, they are aware that the virus mutates and that it will get worse until such time a vaccine is developed to counter it.
“This is also the reason why we have been making warnings to the public of possible new variants entering the city since last month. Because we are resigned to the fact that it will come to our city and it is only a matter of time,” she said in a statement Friday.
Rabat assured that they are well-prepared as their campaign for City Ordinance No. 427 or the Disiplina Panahon sa Pandemya Ordinance has authorized purok (subvillage) heads and barangay tanods (watchmen) to issue citations.
“This is to instill discipline in our community. We have been preparing for the worst. And we can handle any new variants with the help and cooperation of our people. The fight against pandemic is far from over and we will forge on,” she said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
