Another Cebu bishop catches COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Bishop Antonio Rañola also tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the CBCP, reported over the weekend that both Palma, 70, and Rañola, 88, stay at the Archbishop’s Palace.

The bishops are in stable condition, it added.

Rañola was brought to a local hospital in Cebu on Friday due to severe coughing. He tested positive for COVID.

Both bishops remain under close monitoring by their doctors.

Palma, a former president of the CBCP, reportedly tested positive for the virus on Feb. 18.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been eight bishops who contracted the virus.