Bulacan-CIDG on lockdown

BULACAN, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Bulacan has been placed on lockdown.

Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia confirmed the closure of the office yesterday, but did not give details.

Sources said six CIDG personnel and three detainees tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director, said the duration of the lockdown would depend on the assessment of the provincial health office.

Meanwhile, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando ordered the closure of the dialysis center of the Bulacan Medical Center for two days to pave the way for disinfection.

Fernando said two nurses tested positive for the virus while another manifested symptoms of the disease.

Baby infected

In Meycauayan City, a 10-month-old boy is the youngest of the five cases recorded in the city on Wednesday.

Nineteen cases were recorded in Bulacan.

Five are from San Jose del Monte City, two each from Bulakan and Plaridel and one each from Balagtas, Malolos City, Marilao and Sta. Maria.

There are now 745 cases in Bulacan, with 266 recoveries and 40 deaths. At least 439 are active cases.

Localized lockdown

In Antipolo City, Mayor Andrea Ynares said certain areas in Barangays Bagong Nayon, Sta. Cruz, Mambugan, San Jose,  San Luis and Cupang would be placed on lockdown from July 18 to 24.

Ynares ordered the lockdown, citing local transmission and ”excessive case doubling rate” in the areas.

Antipolo logged 15 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the city’s total to 440.

As this developed, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recorded its first confirmed cases after two residents tested positive for the virus.

SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said six cases, all visitors at the freeport, were also recorded by the SBMA-Red Cross testing laboratory.

Two of those found infected reportedly left the freeport after their test results were released.

Four remain quarantined  in Subic. Ric Sapnu, Neil Jayson Servallos