Bishop William Antonio of Ilagan in the northern Philippine province of Isabela has tested positive for the new coronavirus disease.
In an advisory to the faithful, the Diocese of Ilagan said tests, which were conducted on the prelate on November 9 as a requirement for travel, came up with a positive result.
Bishop Antonio, however, remained “asymptomatic” and immediately went on “mandatory quarantine.”
The St. Michael Cathedral, the Diocesan Chancery, and the bishop’s residence on Marhalika Highway in Isabela were closed starting November 12 “until further notice.”
The diocese advised those who had close contact with or prolonged exposure to Bishop Antonio in the past few days to observe precautionary measures.
“They are requested to self-isolate for 10 to 14 days, to inform the frontliners of their respective rural health unit about their predicament for contact tracing or for immediate medical intervention should they manifest COVID-19 symptoms to prevent local transmission of the virus,” read the advisory of the diocese.
Other Filipino Catholic bishops who tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered are Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila, retired Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former Manila archbishop.
