Negros bishop recovers from COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental has resumed his ministry work for the Catholic Church following his recovery from COVID.

“Twenty-one days after I tested positive for COVID, I am now negative,” said Alminaza, who celebrated a mass yesterday at the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral Parish.

“God showed me who is in control and how free and peaceful I can be if I learn to let go and let God – which includes letting go of entitlements,” Alminaza said.

The bishop tested positive for COVID on June 20. He was confined at the San Carlos Doctor’s Hospital for five days.

He was discharged on June 25 and completed the 21-day quarantine.

“I have greater admiration, respect and gratitude for everyone in the health care service, particularly the frontliners,” Alminaza said.

“Although I was isolated but never alone, I felt more present and connected to a lot more people. I saw more depth and wider vision and noticed more dimensions of life,” he added.

He urged the faithful to continuously observe health and safety protocols set by the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.