ILOILO City – Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the first city official here infected with the virus SARS-CoV-2. Asymptomatic, he is on hospital quarantine.
“Let us continue to pray for him as we continue to pray for all Ilonggos facing the challenges of COVID-19,” according to Mayor Jerry Treñas who announced yesterday afternoon Ganzon’s state of health.
After Treñas’ announcement, Ganzon issued an official statement.
“Padayon lang kita sa pagtuo sa Mahal nga Diyos,” according to the vice mayor, a religious pastor.
Ganzon said he had himself hospitalized on Aug. 27 after vomiting. His initial laboratory tests showed an “onset of pneumonia” and gallstones.
As part of the hospital protocols, Ganzon also underwent a test for COVID-19. The result was released yesterday.
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
It was still unclear how Ganzon contracted the coronavirus. But he said, “Mahimo resulta man ini sang akon padayon nga paglibot sa syudad agud makabulig man atipan sa sitwasyon sang aton palangga nga mga pumuluyo. Ini bangud indi ko man mapalagyuhan ang akon responsibilidad sa aton pumuluyo.”
Ganzon, son of the late Sen. Rodolfo “Roding” Ganzon who served the Upper House from 1963 to 1969, assured the people of Iloilo City he was feeling better now.
“Subong, maayo na ang akon pamatyag. Wala ako ubo, hilanat kag wala naman nagasuka,” he said.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
According to Treñas, Ganzon started not feeling well on Aug. 26. The vice mayor was feverish and experienced vomiting. An initial COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test showed him negative for the disease.
Upon Treñas’ advice, the vice mayor’s family and their close contacts underwent COVID-19 tests and observed strict home quarantine. Their test results would be known anytime soon.
“Nagapasalamat ako nga kon wala naglain ang akon pamatyag dala sang akon edad bilang senior citizen, wala ko pa mahibaluan nga asymptomatic positive gali ako sa COVID-19,” according to Ganzon.
The World Health Organization said most people (about 80 percent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
Ganzon’s doctors advised him to remain in the hospital for further observation and care.
“Ipahibalo ko sa inyo ang tanan nga sitwasyon sang akon ikaayong lawas kon makahatag naman sang dugang nga update ang akon mga doctor,” said Ganzon. “Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo pangamuyo.”
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. 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.
Before becoming vice mayor, Ganzon was elected four times as a city councilor. He was voted No.1 councilor in the 2016 election.
His father Senator Ganzon was elected twice as congressman of the Lone District of Iloilo City and four times as city mayor.
His grandfather Leopoldo Ganzon served as mayor of Iloilo City from 1931 to 1934./PN
