MANILA – The island of Guimaras being free from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be credited to its provincial government’s anticipation and preventive measures undertaken, Gov. Samuel Gumarin said.
“Anticipation is very important dahil kung ma-a-anticipate mo kung ano ‘yung magiging kalaban mo, you could make some sort of primary steps. So, kung ikumpara natin ‘yung parasitic infection, bacterial, at saka viral infection, ‘yung viral infection has the capacity to be explosive,” said Gumarin.
He added: “Ibig sabihin, kung magkaroon ng carrier sa isang bahay sa isang probinsya, lahat ng nasa bahay ay magkakaroon kung sakali.”
According to the governor, the provincial government already banned the entry of individuals there from the National Capital Region since Jan. 31.
“Naunahan namin ‘yung COVID-19. We prepared ourselves for this. Pinaigting po namin ‘yung border control dito,” he said.
At least six seafarers will return home to Guimaras today. Gumarin ensured the persons will be immediately isolated in a quarantine facility.
Guimaras is under GCQ until May 15 after it was classified by the national government as “low-risk” in the spread of COVID-19.
Recently, the island province protested the Department of Health Region 6’s decision to count the 27-year-old seaman and resident of Buenavista town there who tested positive for the virus in Iloilo city as Guimaras’ first case.
The Guimarasnon, who was one of the 266 stranded Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers who returned to Region 6 from Metro Manila on April 29, has yet to return to his home province.
He is the region’s Patient No. 72/PN
