Nueva Ecija's Covid-19 tally rises to 108

By Marilyn Galang 

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Four new Covid-19 infections were recorded in this province, bringing its total tally to 108 as of Tuesday.

A 43-year-old soldier who might have been exposed to an infected companion was among the four new confirmed cases of the dreaded disease, the Nueva Ecija Inter-Agency Task Force (NEIATF), headed by Gov. Aurelio Umali, said.

The soldier, a resident of Barangay Palasinan, Cabiao town, was a front-liner who underwent check-up at the V. Luna Medical Center where he was admitted on July 6.

The other three cases were a 23-year-old male auditor who is a resident of Barangay Sto. Niño, Gapan City; a 32-year-old seafarer from Barangay Carmen, Zaragoza; and a 42-year-old male overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Barangay Bonifacio District, this city.

Of the province’s 108 Covid-19 cases, 68 have recovered and four had died.

The task force ordered disinfection and distribution of rice to areas in the province with positive cases.

Meanwhile, Palayan City has maintained its zero Covid-19 status, according to the City Health Office.

The city government was the first in the province to undertake targeted mass rapid testing among residents amid the strict implementation of quarantine protocols.

In this city, some village officials have put up chokepoints in strategic places to check the movement of people within their respective jurisdiction amid the sudden increase in the number of cases to 38.

The city government, led by Mayor Elizabeth Vergara, conducted disinfection in various areas and targeted rapid testing, particularly people believed to have been exposed to Covid-19-positive patients.

It also started the sixth round of distribution of food assistance to more than 126,000 households in the city. (PNA)