Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Recovers from Coronavirus

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) after a 14-day isolation.

In reporting back for work on Thursday, Chan was greeted by members of the City Council and other city officials and employees in front of the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.

“I did not expect that I would have a faster recovery. I did not expect that you would greet me today. It’s not easy to stay in a room that you can see no one. Thank God, I am here now,” Chan, who had moderate symptoms during his bout with the virus, told city officials and employees.

He believed he contracted Covid-19 during the times he removed his face mask while in public places and ate in the company of other people.

He thanked the medical front-liners who attended to him during his isolation.

Chan announced the negative result of his second swab test on Wednesday on his official social media page.

“Dako nakong kalipay nga ipahibalo kaninyong tanan nga nagnegatibo na kita sa Covid-19 human sa 14 ka adlaw nga isolation gikan sa atong pag-swab niadtong Hunyo 10 diin kita nagpositibo (I am very happy to announce to you all that I now tested negative of Covid-19 after 14-day isolation since the swab test last June 10 of which I tested positive),” the mayor said.

Instead of attending the flag ceremony on Independence Day last June 12, Chan went to social media to relay the message that he was infected with the dreaded virus.

He said he was touched by the messages of support from his constituents and well-wishers, which gave him the strength to continue working through constant virtual meetings with the city’s Crisis Management Team and to strive to recover as early as possible.

Chan considered his recovery from Covid-19 as “second life”, saying he viewed it as a miracle and debt from God, the Our Lady of the Rule, the patroness of Mactan Island, and Señor Sto. Niño.

Chan was the first local chief executive in Cebu to contract the coronavirus. The second was Mayor Sun Shimura of Daanbantayan who announced last Sunday that he tested positive for Covid-19.

The municipal hall of Daanbantayan suspended operations last Monday to disinfect the building while the Office of the Mayor has also been closed and will be opened after a week.

Shimura is now undergoing isolation for mild coronavirus symptoms. (PNA)