Baby tests positive for COVID-19

LINGAYEN, Philippines — A nine-month-old baby girl is among 19 people who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in Pangasinan, authorities reported yesterday.

The baby, who lives in Malasiqui town, is asymptomatic and was placed in an isolation facility on Sunday.

Four other residents of Malasiqui tested positive for the disease.

The towns of Sta. Barbara logged seven new cases, Lingayen posted two, and one each in Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao Dagupan and Urdaneta.

Pangasinan has 1,440 confirmed cases and 53 death.

Meanwhile, a Catholic priest based in North Cotabato has tested positive for COVID-19, church officials reported yesterday.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, head of the Catholic clergy in North Cotabato and Kidapawan City, said the priest is now undergoing quarantine.

“Masses in the diocese will continue under stringent safety protocols,” Bagaforo said.

He said he advised the more than 30 priests under him to take extra precautions to prevent themselves from getting infected.

Aside from the diocesan priests, there are members of the Oblate Missionary Immaculate and Franciscan missionaries under Bagaforo, who are assigned in different towns surrounding Kidapawan.