ILOILO CITY – Sixteen employees of the Western Visayas office of the Department of Tourism (DOT Region 6) have been infected with COVID-19.
Cristine Mansinares, officer-in-charge of DOT Region 6, confirmed that three new cases were recorded Thursday, July 22.
“I’m included in the three new COVID-19 cases,” Mansinares admitted in an impromptu online press conference Thursday afternoon.
DOT Region 6 had been closed for public transactions since Monday, July 19, after an initial two COVID-19 cases were recorded over the weekend. Ten new cases were recorded last July 20 and another new case last July 21.
The 16 persons infected with COVID-19 are among the more than 30 employees assigned to the DOT Region 6.
Majority of those infected are asymptomatic and have been isolated.
The DOT Region 6 office is located at Casa Real de Iloilo or the old Provincial Capitol in Iloilo City, the regional capital.
Mansinares said she has informed both Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas of the latest development and assured DOT Region 6 is cooperating with local authorities.
DOT Region 6 released an advisory to the public that it can still transact online by visiting its official Facebook page or sending e-mail inquiries. DOT Region 6 is implementing a work-from-home arrangement.