City Councilor’s staff infected with COVID-19

A legislative staff of Iloilo City Councilor Allan Zaldivar tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2020 (COVID-19).

According to Zaldivar, the patient is a 23-year-old female employee who works as one of his office clerks at the Iloilo City Hall.

The patient first tested positive in the rapid antibody test conducted by the city government. She was then subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test where she turned out positive for COVID-19.

“One of our staff tested positive for Covid-19. Kagina lang sang aga nagwa iya nga RT-PCR test and I informed my other staff,” he said in a phone interview on Friday.

Almost 2,000 employees of the Iloilo City Hall were subjected to rapid antibody testing as ordered by City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The mayor has recently announced that two employees have initially tested positive in the rapid tests and were subjected to confirmatory testing.

Meanwhile, Zaldivar, including all the other 11 staff working in his office, have been subjected to RT-PCR testing on Friday morning.

The councilor said he and his staff will observe strict home quarantine as they await the results of their laboratory results.

“I already advised them nga ma-home quarantine anay and wala anay may magwa sa ila panimalay samtang wala pa ang results. Nag-ayo man ko sa City Health Office (CHO) nga temporaryo isaraduhan ang opisina sa City Hall para sa disinefection,” according to Zaldivar.

For Zaldivar, the incident is an eye-opener to all Ilonggos that the virus is contagious and may be lurking in every corner. He reminded the public to be extra careful and protect themselves by following health protocols such as wearing of face masks, disinfection, and frequent handwashing.

“It is an eye opener nga ara lang gihapon sa palibot ang virus, biskan ano kahalong and disinfect so we have to be responsible and follow the medical and health protocols,” he said. (ERS)