DAVAO CITY - The municipal mayor of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato province tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a statement on Monday (June 14), Municipal Mayor Floro S. Gandam, Sr. confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently under quarantine.

"Gusto ko ipabalo sa inyo nga ako na igo sang Covid 19 kag under quarantine (I want to let you know that I contracted COVID-19 and I am under quarantine)," Gandam said in a Facebook post addressed to his constituents.

He said he is asymptomatic and has not developed any other symptoms. He also called on the public to prohibit from going outside of their homes for non-essential activities.

"Let us stay safe and stay home for our families. Magbinuligay kita para malikayan ang paglapta pa sang Covid19 (Let's help one another so that we can avoid the spread of COVID-19)," Gandam added.

On Sunday (June 13), Gandam ordered the local government employees not to report to their respective offices on Monday to give way for the disinfection and decontamination of the offices. The municipal information office also announced that the municipal government will implement a skeletal workforce arrangement starting Tuesday (June 15) until further notice. Lake Sebu also commenced the observation of "No Movement Sunday" as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the data from the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office, as of Monday, Lake Sebu has recorded 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 bringing to 130 the total number of cases recorded in the municipality.

Lake Sebu currently has 71 active cases, 56 recoveries, and three COVID-19 death.

The South Cotabato Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) recorded a total of 143 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday bringing the total recorded cases to 5,379 with 1,344 active cases. The province also recorded 132 new recoveries and three deaths bringing the total number of recoveries and deaths to 3,911 and 124, respectively.

#LAKE SEBU

Lake Sebu mayor tests positive for COVID-19