THE number of active coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Candaba, Pampanga has reached its all-time high of 47 since the start of pandemic.
On March 25 alone, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) reported eight new Covid-19 cases in the municipality.
The active cases are spread in 13 barangays, with Dalayap village having the highest number of active cases with 11, followed by Paralaya with nine, four each for Gulap, Bahay Pare and Tenejero, and three each for Pulong Palazan and Lourdes.
Barangays Bambang, Mandasig, San Agustin, Dulong Ilog, Mangga, Pulong Gubat, Vizal San Pablo, Vizal Sto. Niño, and Barangca also have one active case each.
Municipal Health Officer Dr. Preny Manimbo said infected individuals mostly are working or have travel history outside of the municipality, and have infected some of their family members.
With this, the local government and police are strictly screening the entry and exit of any persons in the municipal through the checkpoints installed at border points.
Presentation of RT-PCR or antigen test with negative result is also required for individuals coming from different province as noted in Governor Dennis Pineda's Executive Order 05.
Checkpoints manned by barangay personnel and police are also installed in every barangay to ensure the strict enforcement of health protocols, especially movement of non-authorized persons outside of residence.
The local government is also on skeletal workforce until April 5 after at least five of the employees tested positive for coronavirus.
Maglanque, meanwhile, assured that delivery of government services is not hampered during the said time.
He also ordered the strict enforcement of health protocols such as proper wearing of face masks and full face shield and observance of social distancing when in public places, especially in public and supermarkets.
All activities related to the observance of Holy Week such as "pabasa" are also cancelled to prevent convergence of people.
"The household lockdown ordered by Governor Pineda is strictly being enforced in our town especially that we are one of the affected in the sudden surge of cases," said Maglanque.
He called for the cooperation of Candabeños by following all protocols to safeguard the community from the dreaded virus.
As of March 25, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Candaba was 144, and about a third of which were recorded in the past week alone.