The mayor of Tuguegarao City, who had pushed for the imposition of stricter quarantine protocols in his hometown after an alarming spike in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, has, himself, been stricken with the dreaded disease.
Mayor Jefferson Soriano was confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus by Tuguegarao City Information Officer Lumine Plena Hernandez-Umoso Friday night.
Umoso said Soriano, himself, announced in a local radio station in Tuguegarao that he was positive for COVID-19.
“Opo, positive po siya, asymptomatic po . Malakas po sya (Yes, he’s positive, he’s asymptomatic. He’s strong),” Umoso told The Manila Bulletin.
All city employees, including Umoso, who had close contact with the mayor, will be subject for a swab test on Monday.
“Nakalock down na po ang mayor’s office, at napaddisinfect naman na ang mga opisina (The mayor’s office has been locked down. All other offices in city hall have been disinfected),” Umuso added.
The Tuguegarao City Information Office has also called on other persons, who may have had close contact with Soriano to text or call at 0916-619-5320 or 0917-578-1029.
“Muling pinapaalalahan ang lahat na mag doble ingat at sumunod sa mga minimum health standards at iwasan ang paglabas sa pampublikong lugar (Again, we are reminding everyone to be doubly careful, and to follow all the minimum health standards, and to refrain from going to public areas), Umoso said.
Soriano had recommended the imposition of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Tuguegarao City after the number of COVID-19 cases suddenly shot up after the holidays.
His recommendation was approved by the regional Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, and he promptly issued an order placing Tuguegarao under ECQ starting January 20 until midnight of January 29.