​Delta watch

PHILIPPINES - In Brief 23 Jul 2021 by Romeo Bernardo

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Over two months after detecting the Delta variant of the coronavirus in two returning overseas workers, the Department of Health (DoH) yesterday confirmed that there has been local transmission of what the World Health Organization described as the “most able and fastest and fittest of those viruses.” Based on estimates of its reproduction rate of as high as 8, i.e., 4x of the original strain, many are worried that the Philippines may see infection numbers explode quickly, especially considering immunization rate of less than 10% nationwide.[1]Compared with neighboring economies (e.g., Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia) which have been grappling with surges since June, the Philippines has been able to keep infection numbers at manageable levels since its last peak in April. This may be due to a combination of relatively stricter restrictions, as well as actively pursuing measures to keep ahead of the variant, particularly banning international travelers from known Delta hotspots.Following confirmation of local transmission, authorities have tightened restrictions a notch, putting Metro Manila under general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions.” Many are hoping that with increased attentiveness to basic health protocols alongside Metro Manila’s higher vaccination coverage (nearly 30% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated[2]), a stricter lockdown with its harmful economic consequences could be avoided.We will be watching developments in the weeks ahead, especially the race between minimizing infections and maximizing injections which has been averaging 265k jabs per day last week and reached a peak of over 470k jabs yesterday. Private secto...