Gov. Dennis G. PIneda announces first Covid-19 case in Pampanga during press briefing at the Capitol. Flanking him are provincial administrator Atty. Charlie Chua and PDRRMO chief Angie Blanco. Photo by Bong Lacson
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Pampanga was announced Friday night by Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda in a press briefing at the Capitol.
Codenamed “PAMP1,” the patient is a 33-year-old driver of the ride-haling platform Grab plying the Clark Freeport Zone and Pampanga areas. He is presentlyconfined in a Metro Manila hospital, Pineda said.
It was the wife of the patient that sought the help of the Pampanga provincial government after she noticed her husband displaying flu-like symptoms. Even as he had no history of foreign travel, PAMP1, according to the wife, had a history of tuberculosis and hypertension.
Upon confirmation of the case, Pineda immediately ordered the provincial epidemiological surveillance unit to initiate contract tracing of persons the patient has had contact with.
Two “close contacts” have been put under close monitoring so far, while the tracings continues, he said.
The governor reassured his constituents that “we are on top of the situation and there is nothing to worry about.”
“We will come up with public announcements to let you know the latest developments, makakaasa po kayo ng full transparency mula sa inyong mga lingkodbayan,” said Pineda. “Basta lang po gawin natin ang mga karapat-dapat ukol sa pagpapanatili ng ating kalusugan at kalinisan sa kapaligiran.”
Above all, “Do not panic. Do not engage in panic-buying.”
This, even as the governor reiterated his call to purveyors of fake news and misinformation that tend to sow panic and confusion among the people: “Nakipag–ugnayan na po kami sa mga concerned government agencies with the aim of instituting charges againstthese irresponsible individuals engaged in cybercrime.”
Test kits
“We have asked the DOH to allow us to procure test kits to further intensify our measures against the spread of Covid-19,” the governor said. “We have the funds for this, all we ask the DOH is the approval and its recommendation from where we can source our test kits.”
Classes suspended
Pineda has ordered the suspension of classes in the whole province in all levels of both private and publicschools starting Monday (March 26) “until further notice.”
This, even as the governor enjoined parents to keep their children off the malls and public places, stay at home, and continue their studies.
“This is in keeping with the directives under Proclamation No. 922,” Pineda said.
Metro ‘lockdown’
The presidential order of a “community quarantine” –considered by many as a virtual lockdown – of Metro Manila is expected to effect an exodus to nearby provinces including Pampanga.
Over questions on food security that the influx could cause, Pineda said the province “can cope, being a food producer” referencing to rice, vegetables, fish, eggs, meat, and processed food products.
CRK flights
With flights to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport covered in the Metro Manila quarantine, flights may now be diverted to the Clark International Airport.
“We have talked to the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the operators of CRK to ask that they include us, the local government units contiguous to the airport, in any decision-making process on such flight diversions,” Pineda said.
“With Mayors Pogi [Lazatin of Angeles City] and Cris [Garbo of Mabalacat City], we are open to domestic flights diverted to Clark but not to those coming from Covid-19 affected areas,” he clarified.
Cultural practices
Covid-19 has also made an impact on Capampangansocio-cultural practices, requiring some alterations to prevent its spread.
“Wala na munang beso-beso o handshaking. Imbes na pagmamano, yumuko na muna tayo sa mga nakakatanda sa atin at sabihing “God bless po,” said Pineda.
