Prov’l Capitol on limited operation due to Covid-19 infections; VG Ferrer is acting governor

The Negros Occidental Capitol Building in Bacolod City will be locked down for five days effective today after Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and several other provincial government employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said the limited operation of the Capitol was recommended by the Provincial Incident Management Team (IMT).

Lacson, is on self-isolation after experiencing a sore throat since January 20.

He added that after their trip to Hinobaan to distribute relief packs and construction materials, Lacson was tested via rapid antigen test and he was non-reactive.

He was not infectious at the time so there was no need to test those who were him, Diaz also said.

On Saturday, Jan. 22, he was tested positive for the virus after undergoing a RT-PCR test.

Diaz said the governor is resting and doing well.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer has assumed as acting governor in the absence of Lacson, Diaz said.

Diaz said that as of January 23, a total of 21 Capitol employees has been infected by the virus.

Infected employees are from the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Treasurer’s Office and the Provincial Health Office.

Also from the Governor’s Office, General Services Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Information Office, Negros Occidental Language and IT Center, Provincial Human Resource Management Office, Provincial Engineering Office, the Provincial Administrators Office and Sanggunian Panlalawigan.

He added that the lockdown of the Capitol is aimed at breaking the transmission of the virus in different offices.* (EYA)