Talisay mayor gets COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas of Talisay City in Cebu province confirmed yesterday that he tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.

Gullas is the ninth mayor in Cebu to contract the virus.

The 36-year-old mayor said he underwent swab testing on Tuesday after he manifested symptoms of the disease.

“I experienced symptoms of COVID-19, such as sore throat, body aches and cough. Due to concerns that I may have the disease, I asked our city health officials to have me swabbed,” Gullas said.

Gullas appointed Vice Mayor Allan Bucao as acting mayor while he is on quarantine.

In Isabela, municipal government employees in Cabagan tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

The municipal health office said the new patients are among 154 local government employees who underwent swab testing from Feb. 1 to 9.

The new cases were identified as contacts of a health worker who tested positive for the virus on Jan. 29.

Mayor Christopher Mamauag locked down the municipal hall for disinfection and contact tracing. – The Freeman