KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – For South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., this is one instance when love for family should take priority over his own safety.
Although negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Tamayo said he will be joining his seven-year-old son in a 14-day quarantine after the latter tested positive for the dreaded disease.
The governor posted on Facebook that he was compelled to take care of his son, and run the risk of contracting the disease himself, when he joins him at a government quarantine facility in Tupi, South Cotabato, because no one will look after him.
Tamayo said his wife could not care for their son because she was immunocompromised.
“I have no choice even if I was tested negative, I need to be with him for the next 14 days in the isolation facility,” Tamayo said.
He said his son was exposed to a relative, who lives in the family compound and got infected with the virus.
He added that he and his son will undergo swab testing after a week, and, if the result turns out negative, they will be placed under home quarantine.
Provincial Heath Officer Rogelio Aturdido declined to give details regarding the quarantine protocols to be undertaken for the governor and his son for personal security and privacy reasons.