BY BENJAMIN MOSES M. EBREO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (September 3)—The seat of the provincial government here has been temporarily closed as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases continue to surge.
The closure order came from Governor Carlos Padilla as a board member in this province’s northern part admitted to having succumbed to the dreaded Covid-19.
Board member Eunice Galima-Gambol in her Facebook account apologized and pleaded for forgiveness to her earlier contacts as she was tested positive for the virus tagged by health officials as CV 833.
“I was deeply saddened and my heart sank upon learning the result of my test knowing that I have interacted with my family, colleagues and staff at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during last Monday’s session and now the burden is with me if ever I have infected other people. To which I continuously pray that I have not,” Galima-Gambol said.
She said while contact tracing is being done, it was her moral responsibility to inform the public of her present condition and advised those who came in close contact with her to inform the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of any symptoms.
“I wish to apologize to everyone and I personally request that you include me in your prayers including all Covid-19 patients, that by the grace of our Lord, we will recover from this virus,” Galima-Gambol said.
Governor Carlos Padilla said the temporary closure of the provincial capitol covers the period September 4-11 and advised various provincial government offices to adopt their own work from home schemes.
Padilla said the temporary closure of the provincial capitol will allow the disinfection of the entire workplaces, buildings and its facilities including the conduct of contact tracing to its employees who may have made personal contact with the Covid-19 positive local lawmaker, including the conduct of swab tests among the employees of the provincial legislative building.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan building also houses the Provincial Planning and Development Office and the Provincial Engineering Office.
Meanwhile, Dr. Edwin Galapon, Provincial Health Office chief, said eight new active Covid-19 cases have been recorded today (September 3), all from the town of Solano.
“At present, we now have 75 active cases which are mostly concentrated in Solano and Bayombong. Again we are strongly appealing for everyone’s support and cooperation to stay at home and follow our health protocols,” Galapon said.
The province has also recorded five deaths due to the Covid-19 as of this writing.