Ex-Mandaluyong mayor tests positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Former Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has contracted COVID-19, days after his parents were infected with the respiratory disease.

“Results came out yesterday. I was infected. I am covid positive. But the good news is 2 days ago, I sweated profusely when I took the Chinese meds. This early morning I had diarrhea, intense sweat,” Abalos said in a Facebook post on Friday.

https://www.facebook.com/benjaminjr.abalos/posts/177683807092298

The former local chief executive said he is physically fit as the disease affected him “minimally.”

“I’m 100% fit and Healthy. My x-ray results show that my lungs are both very clear. Covid only affected me minimally, the worse effect is one episode of diarrhea,” Abalos said.

Abalos became Mandaluyong mayor in 1998, succeeding his father, former Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Sr.

Last July 17, Abalos Sr. and his wife Corazon Abalos tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Their daughter-in-law, incumbent Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos said in a text message that she is negative for the novel coronavirus but is still under home quarantine.