COVID-19 infects former Catbalogan mayor; GCQ in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY – A former mayor and incumbent councilor of Catbalogan City, Samar tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Stephany Uy-Tan, on Saturday night disclosed that she was among the 80 new COVID-19 patients in Catbalogan City.   She believes that she got the virus from her brother, Mayor Dexter Uy.

“I am a close contact of our mayor and I felt what he suffered like colds and fever,” Uy-Tan said in a Facebook live message.

She was, however, thankful that her two young daughters and father, Vice Mayor Coefredo Uy, tested negative for the virus.

“This only proves that COVID-19 spares no one. That is why, I encourage you all to wear face masks even when we are inside our homes,” said Uy-Tan, who served as mayor of Catbalogan from 2010 to 2016.

All new 80 cases in Catbalogan City were identified to be close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients.

The city currently has 201 COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City will revert to general community quarantine (GCQ) status starting Monday, August 24 until September 8.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez said he decided to place Tacloban under GCQ to address the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Among the prohibitions include mass gathering of more than 10 people, the closure of some non-essential establishments like parlors and gyms, and limiting to 30 percent the capacity of restaurants, among others.

Based on reports reaching him, Romualdez said the increase in COVID-19 cases in the city was partly due to the various birthdays and celebrations held in the past weeks.

“We will be strict in implementing the health protocols. If you are in public transport, you have to wear a face mask and face shield and observe social distancing,” the city mayor said.

Curfew will also be imposed from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. the following day.

Tacloban City so far has 190 COVID-19 cases.

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