BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao were added to the list of local executives in Negros Occidental who tested positive for Covid-19.
Tongson said he has a slight fever, but in general, he and Gatuslao are “okay”, he added.
Following the sudden spike of Covid cases in Himamaylan, Tongson said that he and Gatuslao underwent swab testing on April 8, and the positive results came out yesterday.
Tongson said Himamaylan had 17 active cases, as of yesterday, and he attributed the surge in cases to the holding of a cockfight in southern Negros, that he said created a domino effect.
He is asking for the full cooperation of Himamaylanons to strictly follow the health protocols.
He said that being infected by the virus will not be a hindrance and he will continue to serve Himamaylanons.
Members of the Himamaylan Sangguniang Panlungsod were also subjected to swab testing, and results are expected to be released today, Tongson said.
Negros Occidental Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, and two town councilors have also tested positive for the virus.
LOCKDOWN
Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara, meanwhile, ordered a two-week precautionary lockdown on about 105 households in barangays Isio and Guilhungan in the town, due to a spike in Covid cases.
The City of Kabankalan prohibits food vending and plant selling at the public plaza, and extended the suspension of cockfights. Mayor Rex Jalandoon also issued an executive order to limit mass gatherings and related activities in La Carlota City, and prohibits transient merchants, peddlers, debt collectors, and mobile vendors to enter the city for two weeks, effective immediately.*
