A policeman inspects vehicles entering Pampanga through the North Luzon Expressway. (Photo from the Pampanga Police Provincial Office)
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga––At least 17 patients in Pampanga province succumbed to COVID-19, even as its active cases rose to 5,162 on Monday, Aug. 23.
The provincial government’s latest bulletin showed that the fatalities are from this city and the capital San Fernando City and Apalit, Porac, Magalang, Floridablanca, Sto. Tomas, and Lubao towns.
On Monday, Pampanga registered 472 new COVID-19 cases, bringing to 30,838 its total cases since the pandemic began last year. Of these, 24,173 have recovered, while 1,513 have died.
The figures do not include the highly urbanized Angeles City, which is politically independent of Pampanga.
At least 14,914 individuals have been arrested in the province for non-compliance with health protocols and rules under the modified general quarantine with heightened restrictions that include non-wearing of face masks and face shields, loitering, and violating the curfew and liquor ban.
Gov. Dennis Pineda has issued executive orders imposing stricter border controls, a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., a liquor ban, and prohibition of contact sports until Aug. 31.
He directed police officers in border control checkpoints to ask for current negative results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or antigen tests from non-Pampanga residents before they are allowed to enter the province.