The province of Ilocos Norte recorded 292 new individuals who tested positive for COVID-19, putting the currently active cases at 2,948.

This is according to the data released by the provincial government’s Task Force Salun-at. The data is refreshed every 11 in the evening.

Aside from the fresh cases, the province also recorded 128 new recoveries, while two have died. This brings the province to 7,843 total cases, 4,774 total recoveries, and 121 total deaths since the pandemic hit.

Laoag City is the most affected area in the province, with 1,045 active cases, followed by Batac City with 308, Bangui with 221 cases, Bacarra with 220 cases, Sarrat with 184 cases, and Dingras with 171 cases. Only the towns of Adams and Nueva Era have no active case yet.

Meanwhile, the province is set to be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine on August 1.

The PNP Regional Office deployed 40 policemen in the province for augmentation and implementation of safety protocols.

Over 200 isolation tents were also distributed to high-risk municipalities and cities to further accommodate new cases.

The Philippine government has extended travel restrictions for travelers coming from 10 countries:

● India
● Pakistan
● Nepal
● Sri Lanka
● Bangladesh
● Oman
● United Arab Emirates
● Indonesia
● Malaysia
● Thailand

This means that any person coming from these countries or who was in these countries 14 days before their expected arrival in the Philippines cannot enter the country. If a person transited through one of these countries going to the Philippines, they are not considered as having been in those countries and would still be allowed to enter the country.

The restrictions are part of the government’s measures to prevent further spread of the feared Delta variant.

The escalation comes after the health department confirmed 32 more cases of the Delta variant in Central Visayas.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua says cash aid will mitigate the lockdown’s impact on poor families but there is no announcement from the government yet on this assistance.

COVID-19 vaccinations in virus epicenter Metro Manila will remain unhampered during the lockdown period from August 6 to 20, Malacañang said on Friday, July 30.

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