DOH confirms band frontman died of COVID-19, warns contacts to self-quarantine

Joey Bautista with Mulatto (Photo from his Facebook account)

GUINOBATAN, Albay, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol confirmed on Sunday that Mulatto frontman Joey Bautista died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement released to media, DOH Bicol Regional Director Ernie Vera said Bautista, although not from Bicol, was in Legazpi City on March 11, eight days before his death due to “septic shock secondary to community-acquired pneumonia high risk, COVID-19.”

A test confirmed that Bautista was positive for COVID-19 on March 20, a day after his passing.

DOH’s confirmation came only two days after Bautista’s wife, Belinda Bagatsing, revealed on Facebook that the singer’s passing was due to the disease.

“If you had been exposed or in contact with Bautista, you are considered a person under monitoring (PUM),” Vera said in the press statement. “You are advised to report to your respective local government units and follow strictly home quarantine protocols.”

According to DOH, Bautista matched the profile of PH351, a male 56-year-old resident of San Juan City.

He was reportedly attended a private party in Legazpi City, prompting local government units of the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur to conduct contact tracing of everyone in the event.

The singer’s wife urged everyone anyone who had been in contact with her and her husband to “please monitor yourselves and get checked if you don’t feel well.”

“I have no symptoms and under quarantine for 21 days. Stay safe, everyone,” she said.

/atm