Two Catholic priests who arrived in Iloilo City in the central Philippines from Manila last week tested positive of the coronavirus disease.
The priests were on the list of positive cases since last week, said Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe of the Health department in Region 6.
Mayor Jerry Trenas of Iloilo confirmed the report during a press briefing on Tuesday, July 7. He said the priests arrived in the city on a ship from Manila.
“They arrived in the city and underwent swabbing. The result was released today,” said the mayor.
“The city health office is now conducting contact tracing on all those who came near them,” said Mayor Trenas.
Father Angelo Colada, spokesman of the Archdiocese of Jaro, also confirmed the report.
He said the religious priests were assigned by their congregation to the city but were still to report to the archdiocese.
Father Colada said the priests underwent tests for COVID-19 in Manila and were found negative, but when they were tested again in Iloilo City they were found to have the disease.
