Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. (Fle photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto has gone into isolation after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Hi everyone, bad news, I’ve tested positive for covid-19. I have a sore throat, fever, and body aches, but please don’t worry!” said Sotto in a Facebook announcement on Saturday.
Sotto assured, however, that he would continue to work even in isolation for the next seven days.
Sotto then warned the public against the virus, particularly the Omicron variant, which is feared to be more transmissible than even that of the Delta variant, which also caused a surge in infections last year.
“The spread of Omicron is really intense — as some experts say, ALL OF US will be exposed to this variant),” he said in his post in Filipino. “So let’s always be careful. Let’s strengthen our resistance and be responsible — if you have symptoms, don’t go out.”
Earlier, the Department of Health reported 39,004 new COVID-19 infections, the highest since the pandemic began, bringing the country’s caseload to 3,168,379.
As of Saturday, active cases in the country was at 280,813
READ: Another all-time high: PH records 39,004 new COVID-19 cases