Rizal Governor Nini Ynares tests positive for COVID-19

Rebecca “Nini” Ynares. Photo from Lalawigan ng Rizal (Official) Facebook page

Updated @ 12:03 a.m., March 26, 2020

MANILA, Philippines – Rizal Gov. Rebecca “Nini” Ynares has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his son, former Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III said.

The younger Ynares said in a post on Wednesday night that the 70-year-old governor was in stable condition, although she was placed isolated to prevent other people from contracting the latest coronavirus strain.

Nini Ynares’ husband, former Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Ito” Ynares, 72, was also placed under quarantine. His test results have not been released as of this writing.

“Tulad ng aming sinumpaang tungkulin na maging tapat sa lahat ng oras at panahon, at para ma abisuhan na din ang lahat ng naka salamuha ng aking mga magulang, nais po naming ipabatid sa lahat, na nakumpirma po na ang ating Governor Nini Ynares ay dinapuan ng COVID 19 virus,” Jun Ynares said in a statement.

[As it is our sworn duty to be truthful at all times and circumstances, and also to advise everyone who had been in contact with my parents, I want everyone to know that it has been confirmed that oiur Governor Nini Ynares has been infected weith the COVID-19 virus.]

“Sa kasalukuyan, siya po ay nasa stable condition bagama’t siya ay nasa isolation (quarantine).  Minabuti na rin po namin na ilagay sa isolation (quarantine) ang ating dating Governor Ito Ynares,” he added.

[At the moment, she is in stable condition although she is in isolation. We also made it a point to put our former Governor Ito Ynares in isolation.]

According to Jun Ynares, the incumbent governor may have contracted the disease while monitoring the situation in Rizal province, which has registered several COVID-19 cases.

He also confirmed that Antipolo City Mayor Andeng Ynares had also come into direct contact with the governor.

In the provincial capital of Antipolo City alone, nine persons have been confirmed to have COVID-19, while 42 patients under investigation are still awaiting results.

“Sa amin pong palagay, nakuha ni Governor Nini ang virus dahil sa patuloy niyang pag-ikot at araw-araw na pagharap sa madaming mga kababayan natin,”  Ynares said.  “Sa kanyang mga naka salamuha sa huling 2 linggo, isa na po doon si mayora Andeng.”

[In our view, Governor Nini got the virus because of her continued daily rounds with our countrymen. Among those she had come in contact with in the past two weeks was Mayor Andeng.]

“Pakisama na din po sa dasal kung maaari si Governor Ito, Nini at lahat ng nasa ganitong sitwasyon para sa kanilang mabilis na paggaling,” he added.

[Please include in your prayers Governor Ito, Nini, and all those in a similar situation so that they might have a quick recovery.]

As of Wednesday, Luzon remained under enhanced community quarantine due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.  According to health officials, as of this writing, there are already 636 patients that have been infected with COVID-19, 38 of whom have already died and 26 have recovered.

Around the world, over 416,000 COVID-19 cases have been recorded, while 18,507 patients have died, and another 101,090 patients have recovered.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in Wuhan City in Hubei province in China in late 2019.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses with surfaces having a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.

—With reports from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon

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