(UPDATE) Pampanga has recorded its first case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province, Governor Dennis Pineda confirmed Friday.

The patient is a 33-year old male, who is a ride-hailing transport service driver who plied the routes of Clark Freeport and other towns in the province. He is currently confined in a hospital in Manila.

The immediate family of the patient told the provincial government that the man did not travel to foreign country and is said to have history of hypertension and tuberculosis.

The driver's wife sought help of the provincial government after the patient manifested COVID-19 symptoms.

The provincial government has also placed two persons, who had close contact with the man, under monitoring.

The provincial epidemiological surveillance unit has been tracing other individuals who had contact with the patient.

Pineda has also announced the suspension of classes in all levels, for both public and private schools in the whole province, beginning on Monday, March 16, until further notice.

He stressed the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and social distancing.

As of Friday evening, the Department of Health recorded 64 cases of COVID-19 infections and 5 fatalities.

More than 130,000 cases of COVID-19, with almost 5,000 fatalities were recorded worldwide over 123 countries.

• DOH announces 12 new COVID-19 cases; PH total jumps to 64