Department of Health – Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) confirmed the existence of local transmissions of Alpha and Beta variants of COVID-19 in the Bicol Region.
DOH said that genomic sequencing by Philippine Genome Center (PGC), a total of eleven (11) individuals were positive of Alpha variant.
While, twenty two (22) persons contracted positive of Beta variant.
The Alpha variant, coded as B.1.1.7 was discovered in United Kingdom in September 2020.
Beta variant, coded as B.1.351, was first recorded in South Africa in May 2020.
The DOH report said the Bicol Provinces, with exception to Catanduanes, have registered various cases of these COVID-19 variants.
On Alpha variant, eight ( 8 ) cases were recorded in Camarines Sur, and one case each for the cities of Naga, Masbate and Sorsogon.
On Beta variant, eight ( 8 ) cases were registered in Camarines Sur; five (5) in Albay; four ( 4 ) in Naga City; three (3) in Legazpi City; one case each for Sorsogon and Camarines Norte.
To counter Covid 19 and these variants, DOH urges the public to follow minimum public health standards.