MANILA, Philippines — San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora yesterday denied reports that he withheld information from authorities after several of his staff members tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Zamora said while it was true that nine of his staff members were found positive for the virus more than a week ago, the city’s health office, village association and concerned barangays have been informed of the matter.
Members of a homeowners’ association in North Greenhills said they are planning to file a complaint against Zamora for supposedly breaking quarantine protocols.
The mayor, however, said the chairman of North Greenhills denied such plan.
“We did not violate any protocols. We immediately reported those who tested positive for COVID-19. Five of them are working at my home and four of them work at city hall. They are all asymptomatic,” Zamora told reporters. “I have been tested two times in a span of eight days and both results turned out negative.”
Zamora denied allegations that he was not following quarantine protocols by going outside his residence despite his exposure to COVID-19 patients.
He said five of his staff members were immediately taken in a quarantine facility after they informed authorities.
As of Aug. 15, San Juan posted 1,380 COVID-19 cases with 55 deaths and 952 recoveries.