JORDAN, Guimaras – Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Cyril Beltran issued a public apology for a false alarm.
He actually tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he stressed, contrary to his earlier disclosure that prompted his Provincial Board colleagues to have themselves tested and go on home quarantine.
In a lengthy Facebook post late on Tuesday, June 15, Beltran explained what really happened:
“I was informed that I am POSITIVE for COVID-19 in the afternoon of June 14, 2021. Expectedly, I immediately informed Vice Gov. John Edward Gando, who relayed the matter to the provincial health office. I have likewise informed Gov. Samuel Gumarin, the office of Cong. Lucille Nava thru the former congressma and governor Dr. Jc Rahman Nava as well as Dr. Grace Cortez, municipal health officer of Buenavista, for them to be updated of my present status.
“As it turned out, such information was inaccurate considering that just this afternoon, my official RT-PCR result came out as NEGATIVE for COVID-19.
“On this note, I would like to apologize for the wrong information that was provided with respect to my present health condition that may have caused you confusion and inconvenience.”
According to Beltran, he was thankful for not having contracted COVID-19 despite spending time with his COVID-19-positive sister confined in a hospital in Iloilo City.
“I wish to thank our Most High for sparing me from the deadly infection, notwithstanding the fact that for several days I had been constantly exposed to my sister as I was the one who took care of her since her admission in a hospital where we are both presently confined,” stressed Beltran.
The Provincial Board member himself announced his being COVID-19-positive in an interview on RMN DYRI Iloilo around noon on June 15. He said he was swabbed on June 13.
Being close contacts of Beltran, SP members and presiding officer Vice Gov. John Edward Gando decided to undergo home quarantine and swabbing as a precautionary measure. Results were yet to be released as this was being written.
Despite Beltran’s clarification, however, according to Gando, he and the SP members would continue their home quarantine until the results of their tests have been released.
“Hulaton namon ang result kay anything is possible sa gihapon,” Gando told Panay News.
They welcomed Beltran’s being negative for COVID-19, he stressed.
“Sang Domingo nagpa-swab sia and then sang Monday he was informed nga positive sia. It turned out nga may problema or confusion sa data nga ara sa ospital kay bangod nga may duha ka Beltran. So, ginpabalo sia sang iya nga kilala sa hospital, out of interest man nga makapreparar,” said Gando./PN
