The Department of Health said that at least nine people have died from the more transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant.
DOH Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the latest fatality was classified as a local case.
She did not give more details on the fatality among Delta patients.
Out of the 216 cases of the Delta variant, the DOH said that 17 cases remain active.
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190 of the cases have already recovered from the virus.
Inter-Agency Task Force Co-Chairperson Karlo Nograles said that there is no guarantee that the two-week enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila will be enough to control the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant.
Nograles said that the duration of the ECQ will still depend on the number of COVID-19 cases and the progress of the ongoing vaccination drive.
“We also don’t know how long this ECQ will last. Right now, it’s just two weeks so far,” Nograles said in an interview on ABS-CBN.
“I-momonitor natin yung numbers, i-momonitor natin yung vaccination rollout, we’ll take it one day at a time but also be mindful about August 20,” he added.
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Metro Manila will be placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine again starting August 6 as announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roaue.
ECQ is the strictest form of lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus.
ECQ in Metro Manila will be from August 6-20. (TDT)
