TALISAY City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. confirmed that his wife and two daughters have been infected with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Gullas made the announcement on his Facebook page Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
He, however, tested negative for Covid-19 during an antigen test he conducted at 5 a.m. on the same day.
Gullas said he would not have worried if they got infected since he and his wife, Rhea, were fully vaccinated and already got their booster shots against Covid-19.
But unfortunately, his two children, ages two and 10, were also infected along with the rest of his household.
Gullas recalled that he and his wife initially experienced flu-like symptoms such as clogged nose and cough last Thursday afternoon, Jan. 20, while he had body aches and a clogged nose as well.
To determine if they had Covid-19 or not, Gullas and his wife decided to undergo an antigen test, with both of them testing negative.
Despite that, Gullas said he and his wife immediately isolated themselves at home.
But he was surprised that on the same day, people working in his household tested positive for Covid-19. He immediately ordered his household staff to isolate themselves separately.
“Pero lahi ning Covid ron. Kusog magkatakod gyud. Hurot tanan,” Gullas said, adding that more and more people in his household including his 10-year-old daughter Princess, turned out positive on Friday, Jan. 21, while his wife and his two-year-old daughter, Samantha Niña, tested positive the next day.
Gullas further said he was exposed in the Emergency Room (ER) as they rushed his two-year-old daughter to the hospital after she constantly vomitted while having a high fever on Saturday, Jan 22.
Fortunately, his daughter has been discharged from the hospital and is now recuperating at home.
Gullas said majority of his household members, except for his children, were experiencing mild symptoms.
The mayor, however, said he has decided to isolate himself at home even though he tested negative for the virus, citing that he was a close contact of the family and was exposed at the hospital.
“I don’t want to go out and infect others, especially in City Hall, which is where everyone is working at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center),” he said.
He assured his constituents that the City’s government services, including its regular Covid-19 vaccination drive, will continue.
He also urged the public to get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible, adding that by doing so, they may be able to protect their loved ones, those who are not yet eligible, particularly those below 12 years old, and those who cannot get themselves vaccinated due to medical reasons.
“Our vaccination sites are still catering to walk-ins. We not only accept adults and the elderly but also children and teens ages 12 to 17. Hopefully, if naa nay guidelines from the national, we can start vaccinating children,” he added.
On Sunday, Jan. 23, Talisay City logged 45 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of active cases in the city to 447.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama won’t report to City Hall for a few days after he was reportedly exposed to people found positive for Covid-19 in the previous week.
Cerwin Eviota, Cebu City public information officer, said even though the mayor has yet to be tested for Covid-19, Rama will be working at home as a precautionary measure.
But Eviota said Rama might still inspect some of the City’s current campaigns including its ongoing Basura Clean-up Storm and Task Force Ratsada, but inside his vehicle, to avoid getting close to other people.