10 Bacolod officials, who went to Japan, test positive for COVID-19

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BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and nine others, including some councilors, who joined Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on a trip to Japan last week, also tested positive for COVID-19.

Benitez had himself tested for COVID-19 on their arrival last Monday, Nov. 7, for a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos and tested positive for the virus.

Gasataya said he, along with the city councilors, barangay captains, and their Team Asenso Bacolod allies who joined Benitez on the trip, isolated themselves immediately.

The congressman said he has been in self-isolation since Monday and is attending congressional hearings online.

The city councilors who joined the Japan trip also attended their regular Sangguniang Panlungsod session on Wednesday via Zoom.

Councilor Thaddy Sayson said he had very mild COVID-19.

“I had no fever, just a sore throat,” he said, adding that he had self-isolated and recovered.

All the time he was in Japan he wore a mask, he said.

He would not have realized that he had COVID-19 if he were not tested, Sayson said.

Former Councilor Caesar Distrito said he tested negative, but his mother Councilor Simple Distrito, tested positive. She had very mild symptoms, he said.

Distrito said Gasataya and the nine others who tested positive were in good condition, and the majority were asymptomatic.

“It goes to show that if you are vaccinated and also had booster shots, you are well protected,” he added.

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