TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Gilbert Go of Giporlos, Eastern Samar has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a statement late Wednesday, Go said he has been under home quarantine since Oct. 28 after returning home from Manila to get the town’s ambulance.
Go is among the town’s eight new cases, all close contacts of confirmed patients, according to the Eastern Samar provincial health office (PHO).
During his last day of quarantine on Nov. 11, the rural health unit collected Go’s swab samples for a coronavirus test which turned out positive.
“I assured everyone that I will do whatever possible ways to continue performing my duties and protect my constituents,” said Go, who was transferred to the local isolation facility for another 14 days of quarantine.
He urged residents to be responsible and disciplined to contain the spread of the virus.
“We can only eliminate this virus if we unite and follow all the mandated protocols. We need discipline. Let us unite and pray for us to surpass this difficult situation,” he added.
To date, the town has a total of 42 Covid-19 cases, including seven recoveries and one death, based on the PHO monitoring report.
Go is the third local chief executive in the region who caught the virus.
On Nov. 6, Mayor Manuel Aoyang of Palapag, Northern Samar died of complications just a week after he tested positive for coronavirus. Mayor Dexter Uy of Catbalogan City in Samar tested positive for Covid-19 on August 20 and has now fully recovered. (PNA)