COVID-19 pandemic in Central Luzon


The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Central Luzon, Philippines on March 9, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 was confirmed in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. All provinces except Aurora has confirmed at least one COVID-19 case.

Background

The first case was initially reported to be a resident of Santa Maria, Bulacan but was eventually clarified to be from San Jose del Monte, still in the same province. The patient has no travel history abroad. The first case per province by date of confirmation as is as follows:
On July 6, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region has breached the 1,000 mark with 1,021 cases and 75 deaths.

Response

Repatriation from abroad

Central Luzon was also a major quarantine site for repatriates from abroad, particularly New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac. The first two COVID-19 cases among repatriates in New Clark City were confirmed on March 11.

Lockdowns

The region is under the scope of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon imposed by the national government on March 16.

Quarantine facilities

In April, the national government began converting the ASEAN Convention Center at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and the National Government Administrative Center in Capas, Tarlac to COVID-19 quarantine facilities. The Iglesia ni Cristo also allowed the national government to lend the Philippine Arena at the Ciudad de Victoria in Bulacan to be re-purposed for the same reason. The INC also offered the Garden Suites, also within the CDV as temporary residence for health workers.

Testing

Suspected COVID-19 cases in Central Luzon are tested at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Lung Center of the Philippines in Metro Manila. The Jose B. Lingad Regional Memorial Hospital in Pampanga is being prepared as a possible COVID-19 testing center for the region.