ILOILO City – Former Health secretary and now Iloilo 1st District congresswoman Janette Garin tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
She is on home quarantine for having mild symptoms.
“Mayroon akong sipon, ubo, lagnat, at pag-chi-chills. Hindi naman apektado ang aking pang-amoy at panlasa. Ngunit under strict monitoring pa rin dahil ako ay tachycardic (mabilis na pagtibok ng puso),” she said in a statement.
Garin advised her close contacts to observe themselves for possible coronavirus symptoms, pointing out that she contracted the virus “despite following the minimum health protocols and being extra cautious.”
The congresswoman said she was fortunate to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I can sleep soundly with the hope that this will not be severe despite my pre-existing conditions. I am confident that a trip to the Intensive Care Unit will not be part of my COVID-19 experience,” Garin added.
The congresswoman has been living with comorbidities.
“I am asthmatic, hypertensive and living with Raynaud’s Disease. But these do not hinder me from continuing my work which entails meeting and serving people. This also means that I am exposed to many people that may or may not be infected with COVID-19. Idagdag pa natin ang kakulangan sa pahinga at tulog na nakakapagpababa ng resistensya which makes me an easy target of the COVID-19 virus,” added Garin.
She reminded the public to continue observing the minimum health standards and get vaccinated./PN
