Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos announced on Sunday, June 20, that he tested positive for COVID-19.
The 61-year-old prelate said he submitted himself for treatment and was placed under quarantine.
“Now, God allows me to be on the other side among the infected of this dreaded virus,” said Bishop Alminaza in a report on CBCP News.
“Rest assured that I am given the best possible medical attention available,” he said.
For the time being, the prelate said Monsignor Erwin Magnanao, the diocese’s vicar general, will take over the bishop’s responsibilities.
“I ask for everyone’s prayers for my fast healing as well as for other COVID-19 patients even as I assure you too of my constant prayers and offerings,” said the prelate.
“My prayers for our frontliners have now become more heartfelt,” he added.
Bishop Alminaza is now the 11th Filipino prelate to contract the virus.
On Monday, the Department of Health reported four additional cases of the Delta (B.1.167.2) coronavirus variant, bringing the total to 17 cases.
The Delta coronavirus variant, first identified in India in February, is believed to be 60% more contagious than the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant first detected in the United Kingdom.
It can cause severe symptoms, according to reports.
Health department spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier warned that hospitals should expect an influx of patients with COVID-19 if the Delta variant spreads.
The ban on travelers coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates is in place until June 30 to prevent the entry of the Delta variant.
Additional cases of other variants of concerns were also recorded during the latest genome sequencing conducted by the Philippine Genome Center.
There were 14 more cases of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases, now with a total of 1,085, while 21 additional Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, bringing the total to 1,267.
