BAGUIO CITY – A health worker and now coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient has chosen to disclose her identity to help hasten the contact tracing efforts of the city government.

“As a nurse, I have seen and tended to COVID-19 patients since the start of the global pandemic. In fact, I was the carer of our hospital's first positive patient and others who came next.  I have witnessed their pain and sufferings, and have been with them during  days and nights of emotional and physical isolation in their quarters,” said Gevelyn Galapon.

“I am asymptomatic even when I underwent a mandatory swab on Aug. 5 with the results out on Aug. 8. I am presently admitted in a health facility and on the way to recovery. “

Galapon said her own spirit has been lifted with every recovery and eventual departure from the health facility.

“With me now in this predicament, in isolation, I feed myself with faith in God's kindness that He pulls me through. And I thank family, friends, Baguio citizens and all those who pray with me for recovery,” she said.

Galapon called on individuals with whom she may have had in contact earlier than and on August 5, whether at the workplace, routes to and from her home in Camp 8, or along stores where she bought daily necessities, to take the necessary measures to protect themselves from the virus. 

She said that although members of her family were already swabbed with negative results, she was asking acquaintances  to isolate and have themselves checked at the nearest health facility  if ever they develop flu-like COVID-19 symptoms.

“I also urge each person, healthworkers and frontliners included, to be more careful and extra cautious in performing daily duties as we would never want COVID-19 to spread. Not to our children, Not to the elderly, Not to members of our family, and not in our communities,” Galapon said.