PHO confirms ‘Beta variant’ now in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— Provincial Health Office (PHO) head, Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco confirmed a local Beta variant case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Nolasco said the case was a 50-year-old woman from Mambusao, Capiz with no travel history outside the province.

The woman is presently under monitoring and quarantine. But her close contacts were all negative for the virus.

She first tested positive for COVID-19 in May but it was only this month that she was confirmed to have been infected with the Beta variant, which was first detected in South Africa.

Nolasco said they are still yet to confirm three more Beta variant cases.

The suspected Beta variant cases were a 24-year-old male Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR) from Jamindan, Capiz; a 38-year-old male Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) from Mambusao, Capiz; and 75-year-old female Returning Resident from Ivisan, Capiz.

All three have recovered.

Nolasco advised the public not to be complacent and still follow health protocols. He also advised the public to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, 52,600 persons have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the province of Capiz.

Based on the data released by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the number is 9.7% of the 544,670 eligible population.