DELTA VARIANT COVID (FILE PHOTO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said COVID-19 Delta variant is now the dominant strain in the country after experiencing a community transmission.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO country representative in a press conference, said more than “70 percent of the current transmission is attributable to the Delta variant

“This situation is not entirely surprising… What we are seeing in the Philippines is not unique. It is being seen in other countries,” WHO added.

As of August 27, 516 or 68.98 percent of the 748 samples sequenced were confirmed to be carriers of the more virulent Delta variant, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH).

The Beta variant accounted for 10.83 percent, while the Alpha variant was found in 9.76 percent of the samples, data showed.

Philippines on Monday reported 22,366 new COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day tally since the pandemic began early last year.

The country’s total confirmed infections climbed to 1,976,202, of which 148,594 are active, DOH had said.