Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday 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.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako na agad itong natuklasan,” she added.
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 would be temporarily closed for disinfection as well as the common areas in the City Hall.
“Bukod dito, isinara din pansamantala ang aking tanggapan para ma-disinfect ito kasama ang common areas ng City Hall,” she said.
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QC mayor Joy Belmonte tested positive for COVID-19
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.
“Dahil sa pagdalaw sa ating mga health center at ospital, special concern lockdown areas at mga komunidad upang alamin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, sa simula pa lang, batid na naming posibleng mangyari ito. Pero hindi ko po ito pinagsisisihan. Inihanda ko na po ang aking sarili at buong puso ko po itong tinatanggap,” she said.
The mayor reminded the public that COVID-19 was a peculiar disease, and everyone should be cautious with observing health protocols.
“Nangyari po ito sa kabila ng aking ibayong pag-iingat, pagsusuot ng facemask, madalas na paghugas ng kamay, at social distancing. Kaya sana ay magsilbi itong paalala na ang COVID-19 ay tunay na isang kakaibang sakit na dapat pag-ingatan pa nang lubusan,” she added.
City hall operations, meanwhile, will not be affected as Mayor Belmonte said she would continue monitoring despite her quarantine.
“Makasisiguro po kayo na patuloy ang serbisyo at gawain ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan sa kabila ng aking pag-quarantine. Bagama’t limitado ang aking pagkilos, mananatili po akong nakatutok sa kalagayan at pangangailangan ng buong Quezon City,” said.