CNN Philippines — The country has detected 177 new cases of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, raising the total confirmed infections to 627, the Department of Health reported on Thursday.

The DOH said the new Delta variant cases include 144 local infections, three returning Filipinos, and 30 that are still for verification.

The local Delta cases had listed addresses in the following areas:

– 90 in Metro Manila

– 25 in Calabarzon

– 16 in Cagayan Valley

– eight in Ilocos Region

– two in Cordillera Administrative Region

– two in Western Visayas

– one in Davao Region

Of the new cases, 173 were tagged as recovered, one died, while the status of the other three cases are still being verified.

“All other details are being validated by our regional and local health offices,” the DOH said.

Other variant cases

The department also confirmed the detection of 102 new Alpha variant cases, pushing the total to 2,195.

There are also 59 additional Beta variant cases, raising the tally to 2,421.

Authorities also detected 14 new cases of the P.3 variant first discovered in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the DOH said the effects of the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in some areas “will take some time to be reflected in the case statistics,” adding that a spike in the number of reported infections can still be expected in the coming days.

The agency again reminded the public to abide by minimum health protocols — including practicing immediate isolation upon experiencing symptoms.