NUEVA VALENCIA, Guimaras – A doctor here died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Feb. 23, six days after his wife who succumbed to cardiac arrest on Feb. 17 was found to have the virus, too.
The 81-year-old Dr. Edgardo Jabasa, also a former vice governor of Guimaras, was a resident of Barangay Magamay. He expired at a private hospital in Iloilo City.
“It is with deep sorrow…that we learned of the passing of former municipal official and former vice governor Edgardo Jabasa, M.D., due to complications in relation to the COVID-19 infection,” read part of the official announcement of the municipal government of Nueva Valencia through its Facebook page.
According to Mayor Emmanuel Galila, Jabasa exhibited COVID-19 symptoms on Feb. 15 and right away underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at the private hospital in Iloilo City. Right after his infection was confirmed, he had himself confined there.
Jabasa’s family back in Guimaras was alerted. Since his wife exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, too, she was quickly taken to the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital (DCGNPH). She, however, suffered a cardiac arrest on Feb. 17 and died prior to the release of her RT-PCR test result which showed her having COVID-19, too.
“A staunch public servant and outstanding medical practitioner, Dr. Jabasa was committed to serving our beloved constituents at a time when fear would have gotten the better of men. We offer our sincere condolences and sympathies to his family in their time of mourning,” a statement from the local government unit of Nueva Valencia read.
Jabasa had several close contacts not only in Nueva Valencia but also in the town of Jordan (Barangay San Miguel) where he operated a pharmacy and clinic. Mayor Ruben Corpuz of Jordan locked the establishment down from Feb. 16 to 21 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, all the pharmacy’s staff teted negative for COVID-19.
Jabasa had 19 more close contacts in Barangay Poblacion, Jordan during a bloodletting drive where he volunteered. They included 16 blood donors and three barangays officials. Fortunately, only two of them tested with the virus.
“In his memory, and in honor of his service, we at the local government unit of Nueva Valencia hereby pledge our commitment to serve the people of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras in combating the COVID-19 infection and implementing measures to ensure the safety and security of everyone,” the statement from the municipal government of Nueva Valencia further read./PN
