ILOILO City – One of the official drivers of Mayor Jerry Treñas was infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“In the spirit of transparency, one of my official drivers turned out positive,” Treñas bared over the weekend.
After learning his exposure, the mayor and his whole family underwent swab testing to determine their infection status.
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth
Less than 24 hours after his announcement, Treñas said all of his family members including him tested negative for the viral illness.
“Salamat sa Mahal nga Ginoo nag guwa na results namon tanan – negative,” Treñas said.
This is not the first time that the city’s first family had their specimens collected for COVID-19 testing.
Last year, after being exposed to a COVID-19 positive visitor at his office, Treñas and his family also underwent swabbing and all of them tested negative for the infection.
The city’s chief executive reiterated his appeal to the public to observe at all times safety health protocols such as wearing of facemasks and face shields and social distancing.
“We just have to keep following strictly the minimum health protocols even if we are getting tired of them,” Treñas said.
As of Jan. 17, Iloilo City had a total of 4,798 COVID-19 cases – 4,479 of which recovered, leaving 164 active infections being monitored. The metro’s COVID-19 death toll, meanwhile, still stood at 154./PN
