AT LEAST two public officials in Cebu, including a town mayor, have tested positive of the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as of Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Mayor Jeffrey Belciña of Dalaguete, Cebu disclosed that he has Covid-19 after undergoing a swab test a few days ago.
Belciña said he may have contracted Covid-19 after participating in various events in his town.
“I have been involved in many activities in the town including attending to the groundbreaking ceremonies of projects in three barangays and the blessing and inauguration of a barangay-based project last Feb. 10,” Belciña said, in Cebuano.
But it was after the town’s annual fiesta on February 10 that Belciña reportedly started showing symptoms of Covid-19 and immediately had himself swabbed.
Belciña has placed himself on isolation.
But despite being absent from work, Belciña assured that the municipal government’s services will continue.
“Though my office has closed temporarily, our town hall is still open for those who want to transact with our frontline offices,” Belciña said.
Belciña is the 11th mayor from Cebu who has tested positive for Covid-19.
Other Cebu mayors that got sick of Covid-19 are Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura, Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia, Tuburan Mayor Danilo Diamante, Asturias Mayor Antonio Pintor, Alcoy Mayor Michael Angelo Sestoso, San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya, Ginatilan Mayor Dean Michael Singco, Oslob Mayor Jose Tumulak, Talisay “Ahong” Chan.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Chan’s sister and city epidemiological surveillance officer Mary Grace Chan-Carungay also tested positive of Covid-19.
Chan disclosed this to reporters on Monday, Feb. 22.
Chan said Carungay underwent a swab test last week after she was exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms such as coughing, flu and difficulty in breathing.
Due to her symptoms, Carungay had to be admitted to a private hospital in the city where she was tested for Covid-19.
While Carungay was tested positive, her family members tested negative of Covid-19.
But Carungay’s driver at the City Health Office had to be isolated after he tested positive for Covid-19 after he was traced as one of her close contacts.
Last month, Carungay courted controversy after photos of her holding a birthday party for herself with 50 people in attendance, including Chan, circulated on social media.
The party was held despite a ban on mass gatherings during the pandemic. (ANV, GCM / JKV)