ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. got infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the second time in six months.
The result of the governor’s reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was released on Saturday night, April 15.
Defensor first showed symptoms of the viral disease on April 13. He was advised by the doctor to undergo an RT-PCR test.
In the afternoon of April 12, he was already feeling unwell and immediately stopped engaging with the public.
Those who have had close contact with the governor were told to look out for possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and observe the necessary health protocols.
Defensor is now undergoing home quarantine and recovering, according to Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, acting provincial administrator.
Ventilacion, however, said the governor is still working remotely, adding that all transactions with the Office of the Governor remain normal.
“Ang office still normal. Wala na nag-designate si governor sang officer-in-charge bangod nga sige man ang iya trabaho,” said Ventilacion in an interview with Panay News yesterday afternoon.
For his part, the acting provincial administrator underwent RT-PCR test yesterday morning and it yielded a negative result.
Defensor had been busy since last week during the province’s 122nd founding anniversary celebration (“Semana sang Iloilo”).
The governor first tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 5, 2022./PN
