QC mayor Joy Belmonte says she tested positive for COVID-19

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday said she has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Nais ko pong ipahayag sa lahat ng aking minamahal na QCitizens na ako po ay nag-positibo sa aking huling COVID-19 test," Belmonte said in a statement posted on the Quezon City government's Facebook page.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako na agad itong natuklasan."

Belmonte, who is asymptomatic, said she is strictly observing quarantine protocols set by the Department of Health.

"Nangyari po ito sa kabila ng aking ibayong pag-iingat, pagsusuot ng facemask, madalas na paghugas ng kamay, at social distancing," she said. "Kaya sana ay magsilbi itong paalala na ang COVID-19 ay tunay na isang kakaibang sakit na dapat pag-ingatan pa nang lubusan."

Belmonte also said the development did not surprise her since she has been visiting health centers, hospitals and areas in the city that were placed under special concern lockdown due to COVID-19.

"sa simula pa lang, batid na naming posibleng mangyari ito," she said.

The city's Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, meanwhile, has started contact tracing procedures, Belmonte said.

Belmonte also said her office has been closed for disinfection, which will also cover common areas within the city hall. 

City hall operations, meanwhile, will not be affected as Belmonte said she would continue monitoring despite her quarantine.  

"Bagama't limitado ang aking pagkilos, mananatili po akong nakatutok sa kalagayan at pangangailangan ng buong Quezon City," she said. —KBK, GMA News