CEBU CITY — The whole family of Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas has tested positive for COVID-19.
Gullas said his two daughters, Princess, 10, and Pining, 2, contracted the virus.
"It saddens me to say this but for transparency since I’m a public official, my whole family has tested positive for COVID-19," Gullas said in a Facebook post Monday, Jan. 24.
"The saddest part is kato sauna ako raman naigo (before I was the only who got infected), but now mas lisod kay (now is more difficult because) my entire family is affected.”
Gullas said what worried him was that unlike other family members who are already fully vaccinated and have received their booster shots, his two daughters are unvaccinated as they are still unqualified to be inoculated.
"Sakit kaayo sa dughan nga ang mga bata gyud ang naigo, makaguol kaayo (It is very painful that the children got infected, very disheartening)," he said.
Gullas narrated that around Thursday afternoon last week, his wife Rhea initially had a clogged nose and a little cough while he experienced body aches and a clogged nose.
"When our symptoms showed, she and I decided to undergo an antigen test. We tested negative in the antigen test at that time. But we isolated ourselves from work already," Gullas said.
While the Gullas couple tested negative on Thursday, other people in their household started to get positive and were immediately isolated.
It was on Friday when Princess tested positive then two-year-old Pining and Rhea on Saturday.
Gullas said Pining had to be taken to the hospital after her temperature reached 40 degree Celsius.
"What I’m worried about is we rushed Pining to the hospital last Saturday because she was vomiting constantly," said Gullas.
It was at the hospital that the mayor was exposed to a COVID-19 positive.
The mayor was confirmed to have contracted the virus at 5 a.m. Monday.
"Fortunately Baby Pee is back at home now, getting better," he said.
Unlike the two children, majority of the household members only exhibited minor symptoms, Gullas said.
Gullas assured services in Talisay will not be unhampered while he is away.
Gullas said his family's experience should helped convince the public to get the vaccine.
"The vaccine was a big help because we didn't feel serious symptoms. It also helped that my wife and I already have our boosters," Gullas said.