BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), on Sunday, August 8, 2021, said Mayor Evelio Leonardia had no close contact with the 14 employees assigned at the Public Information Office (PIO) who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Familiaran said last week, 14 personnel from the PIO tested positive for the virus.

He said all of them were asymptomatic and were already transferred to the city’s quarantine facility.

“Fortunately, all of them were fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. Being vaccinated will stop you from getting very sick. It’s a big advantage once you are vaccinated,” he added.

Familiaran noted that one of the PIO’s personnel, who stayed inside their office for about two to three hours, underwent swab test first.

After its positive test result was released, he said his co-workers also underwent swab tests and 13 of them tested positive for the virus. Its office has been closed last week.

Familiaran reminded all city employees to always observe minimum health protocols inside the office to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

As of August 6, Bacolod City had a total of 15,656 Covid-19 cases. Of the number, 14,480 patients already recovered, 810 were active cases with 363 deaths.