Bulacan on lockdown; Davao closes borders due to COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — After recording six cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Bulacan has been placed on lockdown.

Patricia Alvaro of the Bulacan provincial health office said two cases were reported in San Jose del Monte City and one each from Malolos, Guiguinto, San Ildefonso and Baliuag. 

One of the patients from San Ildefonso died yesterday. The five others remain confined in hospitals.

There are 87 persons under investigation and 71 others under monitoring due to COVID-19 in Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Davao will close its borders starting at 1 a.m. today with the suspension of land, sea and air travel to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Region 11 Peace and Order and Development Councils said the suspension could be reduced to seven days depending on the recommendation of the infectious disease specialist consultant. 

On Tuesday, Baliuag Mayor Ferdie Estrella announced that he tested positive for the flu virus. He said he had himself tested after he manifested symptoms.

Nine heads of various departments of the Baliuag municipal government and five doctors who attended a meeting of the Baliuag task force on COVID-19 that Estrella presided over are under 14-day quarantine.

“We have reorganized the Baliuag incident command system temporarily,” municipal administrator Eric Tagle said.

In Bocaue town, barangay officials issued home quarantine passes identifying one member per family who will be allowed to leave the house to buy food or medicine, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was named head of the regional COVID-19 task force, which was created on Tuesday.

Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental are covered by the closure of borders.  – With Ding Cervantes