South Cotabato gov goes into isolation as son, 9 other kin contract COVID-19

KORONADAL CITY –– South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. confirmed on Thursday, Dec. 17, that he has gone into isolation with his son after the child contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“My son Thirdy, 7, got hit by COVID-19,” the governor said. “My wife is immuno-compromised. I have no choice, even if I was tested negative, (but) to be with him for the next 14 days in the isolation facility.”

Tamayo said nine other family members also tested positive for the virus and have been isolated. He did not identify them.

He said he was alarmed since the family has been observing strict measures to avoid contracting COVID-19.  He suspected that an employee could have spread the virus to their family.

Thirdy is asymptomatic, said Tamayo, who posted on social media photos of them sleeping together.

Since the wife has a weak immune system, Tamayo said he was forced to be with the child, as “letting him alone might make the son depressed that may cause his immune system to weaken.”

“Until now that he’s seven years old, he’s still sleeping with us. He still does not want his own room. He cannot sleep alone,” Tamayo said.

The governor said he was expecting to be infected by the virus for staying with the child in the isolation facility.

LZB