The mayor of Taytay, Rizal has announced on Sunday that he tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula said on his Facebook account he had himself tested for the virus on Tuesday, March 24, after experiencing several symptoms.

“Noong Martes ng umaga, nakaramdam po ako ng pangangati ng lalamunan, at nakaramdam ng ginaw at naka-experience ng sinat o tinatawag na slight fever,” Gacula said in a video he uploaded on his Facebook account.

He said upon feeling sick, he immediately consulted a family doctor.

“Ang pinayo ng doctor ay unang-una mag self-quarantine. Pangalawa, binigyan ako ng medication para sa aking mga nararamdaman, at pangatlo bilang may symptomas dapat raw po ay mag-undergo ako sa COVID-19 test,” Gacula said.

Gacula he got the results on Sunday saying he was positive for COVID-19.

Gacula said he has a “mild case” of COVID-19.

The mayor said he has not experienced any symptoms since Friday.

But,  the mayor said he will follow the directive of the Department of Health (DOH) and continue to stay in quarantine.

Gacula also reassured the town relief operations will continue and urged others to follow the enhanced community quarantine guidelines—i.e self-quarantine, practice social distancing, etc.— regardless if they are feeling any symptoms.

“Napakaingat ko po, pero dito makikita na walang pinipili ang COVID-19. Walang pinipili ang sakit na ito,” he said.

Gacula also said  they had already begun contact tracing.

Earlier, Rizal province Governor Rebecca Ynares has also tested positive for COVID-19./Stacy Ang