Davao Oriental governor, Samal mayor get COVID-19

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang and his wife Nanette as well as Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a post on Facebook, Uy said his test result was released yesterday.

“I am asymptomatic and now in isolation,” he said.

Uy urged those who were exposed to him since last week to undergo either reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or antigen test at the city health office.

Samal Island, a major tourist attraction prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, logged 15 active cases yesterday.

Dayanghirang said he and his wife had themselves tested on Sunday after he had fever. The results were released on Monday.

He urged those who had been in close contact with him in the past several days to undergo self-quarantine and follow health protocols.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brian Lim of Dagupan City in Pangasinan was brought to a hospital on Tuesday night to manage the symptoms he is experiencing after he tested positive for COVID-19.

In an update posted in the city information office’s Facebook page, Lim said he is experiencing ”mild pneumonia.”

He said he would remain in the hospital until he tested negative for the virus.

Meanwhile, all the 1,065 municipal government employees in Bayambang town underwent testing for COVID-19 yesterday.

As of 3 p.m., 23 were found to have contracted the virus.

It has yet to be determined if Mayor Cezar Quiambao will extend the lockdown of certain municipal government offices due to a surge in infections.