TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Eastern Visayas recorded 258 coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases yesterday, the highest recorded in a day, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office reported.
There are now 1,080 active cases in the region of the total 10,711.
Samar logged 58 new cases; Eastern Samar, 17; Leyte, 59; Tacloban City, 24; Biliran, 51; Northern Samar, 22; Southern Leyte, 11, and Ormoc City, 16.
On Wednesday, the region also logged a record high number of confirmed cases at 244.
Eastern Visayas is among the areas identified at moderate-risk for COVID-19.
Experts had earlier said the number of cases might double as more people go out due to the reopening of the economy and violation of quarantine rules during the holiday season.
The DOH reminded the public to observe physical distancing and other minimum health protocols even as it expressed concern over crowding in public places.
Pampanga on lockdown
As this developed, in Pampanga, Gov. Dennis Pineda placed the province on lockdown today until tomorrow.
Pineda ordered barangay officials and policemen to put up checkpoints in each barangay to prevent residents from going out.
He said gatherings are allowed only among family members.
Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia ordered stricter measures at border checkpoints to prevent the spread of the virus. Returning residents and visitors are required to present their identification cards and QR code and undergo quarantine in designated facilities or at their homes.
In Cagayan, six personnel of the Solana police tested positive for the virus, results released yesterday showed.
The provincial health office said the new patients were exposed to a police official and his aide who were found infected on Dec. 20.
In Pangasinan, Mayor Noel Nacar of Dasol ordered a liquor ban today until 7 a.m. tomorrow and 7 a.m. of Dec. 31 until 7 a.m. of Jan. 2. He said sale of liquor is also prohibited.
In Baras, Rizal, acting mayor Wilfredo Robles said 16 houses along Dulong Bayan street in Barangay Santiago have been declared critical zones and would be placed under enhanced community quarantine or ECQ until Jan. 6 due to an increase in the number of cases. – Ric Sapnu, Raymund Catindig, Neil Jayson Servallos, Eva Visperas