Samsam in isolation after family gets COVID-19

Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony ‘Samsam’ Gullas. | CDN Digital file photo 

CEBU CITY, Philippines – More local chief executives in Cebu are undergoing isolation as the number of new COVID-19 cases here continues to rise. 

Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony ‘Samsam’ Gullas on Monday, January 24, 2022, announced that he will be working from home after members of his household tested positive of the infection. 

As a result, Gullas placed himself under isolation since January 20 and will be working from home. 

As of Monday, the mayor did not get the infection. 

“Due to this, I have decided per IATF guidelines to isolate at home… I don’t want to go out and infect others especially in city hall which is where everyone is working at the EOC. We will undergo the usual isolation procedure to ensure that my family recovers from COVID completely,” Gullas said in a post on social media. 

Among those who got the virus was his wife, Rhea, and their daughters, Pining, and Princess. 

While the rest of his family who was inoculated against COVID-19 only showed mild to moderate symptoms, Pining was sent to the hospital after showing severe symptoms of the infection such as high fever and frequent vomiting, said Gullas. 

“Sakit kaayo sa dughan nga ang mga bata gyud ang naigo, makaguol kaayo… What I’m worried about is (when) we rushed Pining to the hospital last Saturday because she was vomiting constantly. Again didto, I was exposed in the Covid ER (Emergency Room),” Gullas said.

Due to her age, Pining, 2, did not get the COVID-19 vaccines.  Under the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH), only minors aged 12 to 17 years old can get the shots. 

“Fortunately, Baby Pee is back at home now. Getting better. 38 nalang helanat.  Even though they tested positive, majority of us sa household (except sa mga kids) minimal ra kaau ang symptoms. Ginagmay na ubo ug sipon ra gyud,” Gullas added. 

In the meantime, Gullas assured his constituents that delivery of basic services in the city will not be hampered despite his work-from-home arrangement. 

“Naa sad atong mga department heads nga motabang nako para di gyud mahunong atong pagpanerbisyo sa city hall,” he said. 

He also urged unvaccinated residents in Talisay City to get inoculated as protection against severe and critical symptoms of COVID-19. 

“You can help protect your loved ones, especially the young ones who are not eligible yet and those who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons, by getting vaccinated,” Gullas continued. 

The mayor also hoped the national government will soon give the go signal in vaccinating children ages five to 10 years old.

Aside from Samsam, other mayors in Cebu who underwent home isolation are Mayor Michael Rama (Cebu City) and Jonas Cortes (Mandaue City).

/bmjo 

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