House Deputy Speaker Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon strongly advised the public to take the necessary health precautions against COVID-19 as he recounted Monday the “ordeal” he and his wife went through as a result of a bout with the dreaded disease last Christmas.
Leachon and wife, Calapan City Councilor Rona Leachon, have just recovered from COVID-19 that threatened their lives. Both traveled to Manila during the holiday season.
However, he does not have an idea where they got the infection.
The House official urged public to observe strictly the health protocols suggested by government, saying that face shield, face mask, and alcohol should come handy as they go out of their houses.
The House official became the 12th active House member to test positive for COVID-19 that claimed the life of his former House colleague and provincemate, former Rep. Reynaldo Umali, over the weekend.
Among those who survived COVID-19 were Reps. Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe (Lakas-CMD, Zamboanga City); Arlene Brosas (Gabriela partylist); Eric Pineda (1Pacman party-list); Luis Ferrer IV (NUP, Cavite); Mujiv Hataman (NP, Basilan); Johnny Pimentel (Lakas-CMD, Surigao del Sur); Henry Villarica (PDP-Laban, Bulacan); Paul Daza (NP, Northern Samar), and Samier Tan (PDP-Laban, Sulu).
Reps. Francisco Datol Jr. (Senior Citizens party-list) and Ditas Ramos (PDP-Laban, Sorsogon) were not as lucky and succumbed to the disease.
Leachon said he immediately consulted his brother, health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon, when symptoms started coming out.
The senior administration lawmaker recounted that he suffered high fever, cough and colds, and shortness of breath during his seven-day ordeal.
He told a television interview that his case was still considered “moderate,” noting that his wife’s condition then was worse.