![“Ma-lift lang ang lockdown kon makagwa ang result sang aton 40 [Rural Heal Unit] personnel,” says Mayor Francis “Ansing” Amboy of Maasin, Iloilo. FILE PHOTO](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/news-ime-maasin-696x464.jpg "Mayor Francis “Ansing” Amboy of Maasin, Iloilo.")
ILOILO – The Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Maasin, Iloilo was temporarily closed. Its municipal health officer contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Francis “Ansing” Amboy placed the RHU on lockdown since Aug. 17 until further notice.
While conducting contact tracing, Amboy said the RHU premises were thoroughly disinfected.
“Ang doctora namon diri nag-positive,” Amboy told Panay News.
The asymptomatic physician is on home quarantine.
She had herself tested for COVID after having been exposed to a male overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who visited their office last week to process his medical certificate.
The OFW later turned out COVID-19-positive.
“Pag-abot sa Manila, nag-positive ang OFW kay gin-require sia nga magpa-swab. Didto nag-worry si doctor kay naka-istorya niya ang OFW,” Amboy explained.
As part of contract tracing, the OFW’s family members along with the RHU chief, were swabbed. Their results came out on Aug. 17, showing only one positive – the doctor.
With this, Amboy theorized that there is a less percentage that the doctor contracted the virus from the OFW.
“Indi ta gid ma-trace kay siempre isa sia ka frontliner and prone sia sa COVID-19, indi man sure kon diin naghalin,” said Amboy.
As part of precautionary measures, Amboy ordered the swabbing of more or less 40 RHU personnel.
“Ma-lift lang ang lockdown kon makagwa ang result sang aton 40 personnel,” according to the mayor.
He said makeshift tents were installed outside the municipal hall to assure residents of continued healthcare services.
To date, Maasin has two confirmed COVID-19 cases – a repatriated overseas Filpino and a local case./PN
