MABALACAT City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo has tested positive for Sars-CoV-2, which caused the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
"It saddens my heart to inform my fellow MabalaqueƱos that despite following health protocol, I have tested positive for Covid-19," Garbo said in a statement issued on March 29.
Garbo said that he had a fever on Friday, March 26, so he underwent Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test which came back positive on March 27.
"I have personally informed most of the people whom I interacted with in the past week, and a full-scale contact tracing is ongoing," the mayor added.
Garbo also urged everyone who has come in contact with him in the past few days to undergo RT-PCR testing.
"In spite of the fact that I always wear a face mask, face shield and observe physical distancing whenever I go out, I still urge everyone who has come in contact with me in the past few days to have themselves tested," he said.
The mayor said he is "feeling better and in good physical condition inside a medical facility."
He also reminded his constituents to take the pandemic seriously and do their part in order to stop virus spread.
"I ask the people of Mabalacat City to fervently pray not only for our community but also for the world to overcome the challenges brought about by this pandemic," Garbo said in his statement.
The mayor said he will continue to perform his duties remotely.