3 more COVID-19 patients die in Aurora

A view of the beach from a secluded place in Dinalungan town. Photo from the Tourism Aurora Page (www,aurora.gov.ph)

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga – Three more residents of Aurora lost their battle against COVID-19, according to the province’s emergency operations center.

In its May 28 bulletin, the Aurora government said the death of a resident of Casiguran town, a patient from Dinalungan town, and a third from San Luis town raised the number of fatalities to 39.

Aurora recorded 25 new cases on May 28, bringing to 981 its total number of COVID-19 cases. Of these, 204 remain as active cases. Some 738 patients have recovered from the virus.

The town of Maria Aurora has the most active cases with 82 patients receiving treatment, followed by Baler with 55 active cases, and Dipaculao town 23.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Aurora is considered high when set against its 215,000 population, as well as the relative isolation of the coastal province.

While the province is under a modified general community quarantine, which is the most relaxed form of community quarantine, Aurora’s border controls remain one of the strictest in the country.

Even authorized persons outside residence (APORs) from the private sector need to present negative results from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests before they are allowed entry into the province.

While one of Aurora’s sources of income comes from its tourism industry, it continues to bar tourists from outside the province.

Only the beach resorts and nature parks in the towns of Dipaculao, Casiguran, and Dilasag have been allowed to operate. But only Aurora residents are allowed in Dipaculao while Casiguran and Dilasag cater only to their respective residents.

JUN A. MALIG INQ

/MUF