Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina Lizares has tested positive for COVID-19.
Lizares told DIGICAST NEGROS she was informed that she tested positive for the virus at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21.
“I have mild symptoms such as runny nose and cough, but I am stable and active as of this time,” she said.
“I have been adhering to protocols and been very conscious of my actions, but with our work as government servants, especially the challenges of IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) work 24/7, I also contracted this virus,” she said.
She called on the public to be more careful, cooperative, and serious about the fight against COVID-19.
“We work to make everyone safe but as you know more and more of us are also being infected because our bodies also have limitations – we get weak due to circumstances beyond our control,” she said.
Lizares called for prayers for the frontliners and everyone.
Numerous employees at the Sipalay City Government Center earlier tested positive for COVID-19, including the city administrator and her private secretary, she said.
The Sipalay City Government Center that was closed for disinfection will resume operations at 50 percent capacity starting Thursday, April 22, a Sipalay advisory said.
However, all personnel who were traced to have had close contact with COVID-positive persons will not be allowed to return to work without negative RT-PCR results.
The Office of the Mayor, Barangay Affairs Unit, Office of the City Administrator, Office of the Bids and Awards Committee and City Tourism Office will remain closed until all personnel will have negative RT-PCR test results, the advisory said.*