ILOILO – Three of the five individuals who were infected with the Beta variant of the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Santa Barbara town passed away.
Mayor Rema Somo said four of the Beta variant cases belonged to the same household.
“Sa isa ka balay apat ni ang kaso nga Beta variant tapos may isa pero lain naman nga balay,” Somo told Panay News.
She said the cases were infected in May 2021 yet but it was only on July 13 that they were found carriers of the Beta variant by the Philippine Genome Center.
The Beta variant was initially detected in South Africa in December 2020.
According to Somo, their recorded deaths include two elderly siblings who passed away in May. They were in one house together with two other younger relatives.
“They may have been infected by another relative who came from Metro Manila,” Somo said. “Nakahapit lang ‘ni sia sa Santa Barbara.”
When the said relative went back to Manila, he/she tested positive for COVID-19. The mayor is also yet to confirm if the person also had the Beta variant.
The two younger relatives have recovered.
Meanwhile, the other death, which also passed away in May, was in the same barangay as the seniors.
“Wala ni sia nagagwa sa ila balay. Isa sia ka bulag. Pero madamo sang kabataan nga naga-obra,” the mayor said.
Somo added that the public need not panic but to always be vigilant.
The local government unit (LGU) has already alerted the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team and barangay officials.
Further, Somo believed that everyone can be spared from COVID-19 through the strict compliance with the minimum health protocols.
“Kon puede pasangkadon gihapon ang implementation sang proper health protocols kay dira lang kita makapanginlaman kag maproteksyonan ang mga pumoluyo,” she said.
Somo said they are also developing their isolation facilities as coronavirus-hit individuals are being extracted from their homes.
“Subong may na-put up kita nga COVID center where ginabutang ang patient if ever indi ma-accommodate sang mga hospital. You know it takes four to five hours nga libot antes kakita hospital pero kis-a wala gid ma-admit. So, if ever wala kadtoan nga hospital diri anay sila butang sa COVID Ligtas holding facility kay kumpleto sa equipment,” added Somo.
As of July 27, Santa Barbara had 922 total confirmed cases – 199 active, 698 recovered and 25 deaths./PN
