CABANATUAN CITY — The implementation of strict border control checkpoints in Nueva Ecija has been extended until September 30 amid the continuous surge of COVID-19 cases and its Delta variant in the province and neighboring areas, the Nueva Ecija Inter-Agency Task Force (NE-IATF) said.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali, NE-IATF chair, approved the extension of the tightening of border controls in the province to Sept. 30 as per NE-IATF Resolution No. 5 issued on Sept. 15.

These border control checkpoints were initially ordered put up by the NE-IATF starting Aug. 6 when the first two Delta variant cases were reported in the province.

But due to the Delta variant-sparked COVID-19 surge, its implementation was thrice extended by the NE-IATF, first, until Aug.31, then- to Sept. 15 and the latest to Sept. 30.

Umali urged all local government units to maximize the use of their quarantine facilities to reduce the risk of virus infections at their homes.

As of Sept. 20, the Department of Health-Nueva Ecija reported 2,741 active COVID-19 cases, with 368 total admitted cases, 202 in quarantine facilities, and 2,171 under home quarantine.

Umali said these figures were the highest that were recorded so far since the pandemic started last year.

It also indicated an increase of 381 active cases from its previous post last Sept. 15.

The NE-IATF also listed the top five LGUs with the most number of active cases — Cabanatuan City, 613 (District 3); Gapan City, 271 (District 4); San Jose City, 262 (District 2); Talavera, 202; and Guimba, 135, both in District 1.

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Steve A. Gosuico