Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City in Negros Occidental said he and four of his companions have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now under quarantine at the North Elementary School in his city.
Palanca, in an interview today, November 8, said he was confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center (BAMC) and was cleared by his doctor to go home Saturday, November 7, but in compliance with health protocols, he opted to continue being quarantined at the public school with his other companions.
The mayor said he and seven other people in a van went to Silay City and made two stops in Bacolod City on October 29.
The four others with him who tested positive were his secretary, driver, a member of his staff, and a bodyguard. Their three other companions were not hit by the virus.
Palanca said he had a sore throat and went to Iloilo City on October 31. None of his companions on the trip to Iloilo tested positive for the virus, he said.
On November 1, he suffered from body malaise and was not feeling well the next day, so had himself tested for COVID-19 at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital molecular laboratory in Silay City on November 3 and was informed the next day that he was positive for the virus, Palanca said.
He was confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center on Wednesday until Saturday when he was informed by his doctor that he could go home.
He had a mild case of COVID-19 and was given dextrose while at the hospital, but did not suffer from pneumonia, the mayor said.
Palanca is the the president of the Association of Chief Executives in Negros Occidental.
Other Negros Occidental officials who have recovered from COVID-19 are board members Andrew Montelibano and Samson Mirhan, and mayors Marvin Malacon of EB Magalona and Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra.*