6 staffers of infected South Cotabato governor test positive for coronavirus

KORONADAL CITY—Six staffers of South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. tested positive for SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19, just a few days after the governor got infected.

Local health authorities said they believed the six staffers may have acquired the virus from the governor.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr, South Cotabato health chief, said the staffers are showing minor symptoms but are on quarantine.

“They have minor symptoms, contact tracing has been ongoing,” Aturdido said in a radio interview.

Tamayo on Sunday (Feb. 21) announced he tested positive for the virus after he had close contact with a carrier last Feb. 16.

Aturdido said relatives and friends of the six employees of the governor’s office have been informed so they can take precautionary measures and go on self-quarantine.

Aturdido said he talked to Tamayo, who said he was fine and that the fever he had last Sunday was gone.

Tamayo was expected to report for work on March 8 after completing his 14-day quarantine.

The pandemic continued to disrupt government operations in the Socckskargen region, forcing the closure of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after an employee tested positive for the virus.

The office of Macario Gonzaga, LTO regional director, issued a notice on the temporary closure of the LTO office at the village of Zone 4.

“We are sad to inform you that one of our personnel tested positive for COVID-19,” the LTO advisory said.

“This person has no history of travel and is now on strict quarantine and currently being monitored by the local medical teams,” the advisory added.

The temporary closure will last from Feb. 24 to March 2.

TSB