Janiuay mayor tests positive for COVID-19

Another local chief executive (LCE) in Iloilo province has contracted COVID-19.

Mayor Ben Margarico of Janiuay town confirmed Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 based on the results of his real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) test.

“Sa mga pinalangga ko nga mga kasimanwa, ginakasubo ko gid nga ipahibalo sa inyo nga nagpositive ako sa RT-PCR test result sa COVID-19,” Margarico said in his official statement.

In a media interview, Margarico said he is currently confined to a hospital in Iloilo City and is experiencing mild symptoms such as cough and fever.

Contact tracing efforts are ongoing to identify his close contacts.

“Sa tulad on-going ang contact tracing nga ginahimo sang aton mga contact tracers agud mahibaluan kon sa diin ako possible nga expose sa amo nga virus kag kon sanday sin-o ang nakaclose contact sa akon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Margarico ordered the temporary closure of the Mayor’s Office in the town until further notice to give way to disinfection.

He also appealed to residents of Janiuay to not panic and instead continue observing minimum health protocols.

“Akon gid ginapangabay ang tanan nga indi magkabalaka ukon magpakulba kag sa baylo magpangamuyo kag padayon nga sundon ang tanan nga health protocols. Ginapangayo ko gid ang inyo kooperasyon,” he said.

As of August 10, the town of Janiuay has 501 cases with 437 recoveries, 45 active cases and 19 deaths, based on the data from the municipal government.