THE City Government of Tacloban confirmed on Thursday, December 10, that Mayor Alfred Romualdez has tested positive for Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The mayor is experiencing mild symptoms and in stable condition, according to Acting City Health Officer Dr. Gloria Fabrigas.

Romualdez started experiencing the symptoms last December 2 and his swab test showed a positive result on December 10.

In a statement, Fabrigas said Romualdez is in isolation while contact tracing is now underway.

Meanwhile, Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin urged the public to pray for the health and safety of the mayor.

“We pray for the mayor’s swift recovery. Once again, it just goes to show that Covid-19 doesn’t choose its victims,” Yaokasin said.

“The coronavirus is no respecter of persons. Let us not be complacent but continue to be careful and cautious especially during the Christmas season,” said Yaokasin.

“Please keep mayor Alfred in your prayers,” wrote former Tacloban mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, the wife of the mayor, on her Facebook account.

Romualdez is reportedly the fourth local chief executive in Eastern Visayas to have been infected with coronavirus.

The other mayors who also tested positive were Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy; Palapag, Northern Samar Mayor Manuel Aoyang; and Giporlos, Eastern Samar Mayor Gilbert Go.

Aoyang died on November 6 following complications due to Covid-19.

As of December 10, Eastern Visayas recorded 9,185 total Covid-19 cases, with total recoveries of 8,663 (94.32 percent), total deaths at 100 (1.09 percent), and total active cases at 422 (4.59 percent). (SunStar Philippines)