San Carlos bishop recovers from COVID-19

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental shared the good news on Saturday that he has already recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“21 days after I tested COVID-19 positive, I am now negative,” Alminaza said in a Facebook post.

Alminaza learned about his COVID-19 infection on June 20. He was symptomatic then.

The Diocesan Social Communications Office in San Carlos City said in a statement that Alminaza was discharged from the hospital on June 25 after a six-day confinement and completed his 21-day quarantine.

In fact, Alminaza celebrated the 9 a.m. Holy Mass yesterday at the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral Parish.

However, the Diocese said that he was advised to conscientiously be on guard in receiving engagements, as he resumes his important ministry for the Church due to his pre-existing medical conditions.

Alminaza said that with his recent experience, he learned to appreciate and be grateful for every little gift and blessing God sends his way – to value self-care as well as allow others to love and care for him.

“Though isolated, I was never alone, I feel more present and connected to a lot more people, I see more depth and wider vision, notice more dimensions of life, acknowledge more painful, embarrassing yet liberating truths about myself and our communities, discover more strength in powerlessness, made more important decisions and accomplished more – but not without God’s grace and the unity and collaboration of our core team,” the bishop said.

Alminaza also recognized the medical frontliners, saying that he has greater admiration, respect and gratitude for everyone in the health care service.