COVID-19 cases in Aurora grow by 42 percent in a month

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –– The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Aurora province surged by 42 percent within a month this March from having zero cases in July last year, according to data by the Aurora Emergency Operation Center.

Confirmed cases rose from 91 on March 1 to 216 on March 29. The death toll remained at two from August last year to March, while the recovered patients rose to 112.

Of the 102 active cases, 75 are inmates and guards at the provincial jail in the capital town of Baler.

By towns, Baler has a total of 89 cases; Maria Aurora, six; San Luis, four; Dipaculao, two; and Dingalan, one.

Sixteen were admitted for treatment at the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City, some two hours west of Baler. The rest showed mild symptoms and are in an isolation facility.

In an interview Tuesday, Gov. Gerardo Noveras said most of those who tested positive for the virus had traveled in and out of Aurora.

Noveras issued an advisory on Tuesday that included discouraging mass gatherings, regulating residents’ movements during Holy Week, and a liquor ban.

LZB