By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Governor Esteban Evan Contreras will continue to work despite being infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Contreras confirmed Monday that he was infected based on the result of his Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test.
He believes that he may have been infected after he was exposed to two employees of the Governor’s Office who were also positive for SARS-CoV-2.
In his official statement posted on the Capiz Kabalaka Information Center’s Facebook FB account, Contreras said that he is asymptomatic and under strict home quarantine.
“I will be handling administrative and governance of the province. Health protocol and security are now being finalized to enable me to function with the help of the provincial administrator performing delegated administrative functions along with other department and office heads,” the governor said.
He added that all the papers and documents that needs his signature will be brought to his house.
“I am also calling on all those who had close contact with me since Wednesday last week, August 19, to please isolate or quarantine yourself and submit to RT-PCR test with the Provincial Health Office,” Contreras said.
According to City Health Officer Dra. Lory Cahilog, the governor is patient number 48 of Roxas City because his home address is Brgy. Lanot here.
At present, Roxas City has 25 active cases of COVID-19, 20 recoveries and 4 deaths. The latest was a 29-year-old male nurse from Camansi Street in Brgy. Tiza here.
Meanwhile, the municipal hall of President Roxas, Capiz was temporarily closed on Aug 25, to give way to disinfection after some municipal employees and officials were exposed to Contreras.
According to Mayor Receliste Escolin among those exposed to the governor were the staff of the Office of the Vice Mayor, some Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, and barangay captains of the town.
The said officials and employees together with the governor attended the birthday party of a supporter at Barangay Casanayan, Pilar.
Escolin has asked officials and employees to undergo strict home quarantine while waiting for the results of their RT-PCR test.
