By ARMANDO FENEQUITO JR.
DAVAO CITY – Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte Mayor Ernesto Evangelista confirmed Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Sto. Tomas Municipal Information Officer Mart Sambalud said Evangelista is the first mayor in Davao del Norte to have been infected with COVID-19 following his exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual last Oct. 14.
He said the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City confirmed the positive test result on the mayor.
“He (Evangelista) is symptomatic and his case was classified by doctors as a “mild case” since his vital signs remain normal as of this posting,” Sambalud said.
The local chief executive is now on strict isolation and asked those who had physical contact with him since Oct. 14 to go on self-quarantine at home and subject themselves to RT-PCR Test.
Evangelista added that he has coordinated with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) for the contact tracing and other necessary protocols regarding his case.
Sambalud said despite being in isolation, Evangelista will continue to work by virtually presiding and attending meetings and make the necessary decisions in order to keep the town fully operational amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
