Three councilors of Quezon City tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 a week after Mayor Joy Belmonte acquired COVID-19.
Councilor Candy Medina of the sixth district announced Thursday that she tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The two other councilors are yet to issue statements regarding their test results.
According to Medina, authorities are now conducting contact tracing is to monitor those who had contact with her in the past days.
The Quezon City local government closed its legislative building at the city hall complex yesterday after the councilors, and several staff members tested positive for COVID-19. The building will be shut down until July 19.
“The Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit will conduct contact tracing and follow-up testing,” read the advisory. “Everyone is encouraged to remain calm and vigilant as we continue to fight COVID-19.”
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Last week, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte announced she has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Nais ko pong ipahayag sa lahat ng aking minamahal na QCitizens na ako po ay nag-positibo sa aking huling COVID-19 test,” Belmonte said in a statement posted on the Quezon City government’s Facebook page.
The mayor said she is in good condition and was not experiencing any symptoms. She added she strictly followed the quarantine protocols of the Department of Health and that the QC Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QC-ESU) already started the contact tracing procedures.
Mayo Belmonte’s office was temporarily closed for disinfection as well as the common areas in the City Hall.
Belmonte said she was not surprised that she acquired the virus as she visited hospitals, health centers, and special concern lockdown areas to know her constituents’ needs. She added she had no regrets and accepted she could get infected.
The mayor reminded the public that COVID-19 was a peculiar disease, and everyone should be cautious with observing health protocols.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,498 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Thursday, July 16, bringing the tally to 61,266.
Of the 2,498 additional cases, 1,246 “fresh” or newly validated and 1,252 reported late.
The top five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 1,886, Cebu with 198, Cavite with 57, Davao del Sur with 44, and Laguna with 44.