Pampanga mayor catches COVID-19 for second time

PAMPANGA, Philippines — Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo went on quarantine yesterday after he contracted COVID for the second time despite being fully vaccinated.

“My fellow Mabalaqueños, despite following health protocols, I tested positive for COVID for the second time,” Garbo said in a post on social media.

The city health office reported that Mabalacat has 63 active cases, several days after logging zero infections during the Yuletide season.

Garbo survived his first bout with COVID late last year.

“Although I am feeling better and in good physical condition while in isolation, let me reiterate to my kabalens that we should take this pandemic seriously. Let us do our part in order to stop the spread of this virus,” Garbo said.

He assured his constituents that the delivery of public services would continue while he is on quarantine.

“I ask the people of Mabalacat City to pray not only for me, but also for our frontliners and for the whole community... that we may overcome these new challenges brought about by this pandemic. I will continue to perform my duties remotely as a public servant in the best possible way,” he said.

The city health office reported no deaths among the recent patients in the pandemic. It said the villages of Dapdap and Dau have the most number of active cases at 69 and 53, respectively.