2 South Cotabato mayors positive for COVID-19

KORONADAL CITY—Two town mayors in South Cotabato province have tested positive for COVID-19.

Leonard Escobillo of Tampakan and Floro Gandam, Sr. of Lake Sebu separately announced that they have been inflicted with COVID-19. Both leaders have gone into isolation.

Escobillo, a registered nurse, said he would be on quarantine for 21 days.

Gandam said he was asymptomatic and asked for prayers for those suffering from COVID-19.

“Let us stay safe and stay home for our families. Let us do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Gandam appealed.

Tampakan had recorded 183 COVID-19 cases, while Lake Sebu logged 131, with their active ones at 80 and 68, respectively, according to the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office.

As of Tuesday evening, of the 16,679 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Soccsksargen region, South Cotabato recorded the highest at 5,534 cases, followed by General Santos City with 4,716, Cotabato with 2,792, Sultan Kudarat with 1,936 and Sarangani with 1,702, the Department of Health-Soccsksargen reported.

Of the total cases in the region, 12,812 had recovered, 480 had died, and 3,385 patients were battling the disease, it added.

LZB