The former contact tracing czar of the country has admitted to being positive of the virus and is one of the 227 announced by the City Health Office on Good Friday.

In a statement, Magalong said: “It is with a sad note that I would like to inform everyone that as of my RT-PCR test conducted yesterday morning (April 2, 2021), to which my results came out at 4:30pm of the same day, I was tested positive of the Covid-19 virus.”

Magalong earlier admitted that his wife Arlene has contracted the virus.

His statement added: “Contact tracing efforts are underway for those whom I have come into close contact with. I also strongly advise everybody to observe the minimum health standards.”

Magalong said: “Indeed, this news came out as a devastating blow for me and my family. The seriousness of this pandemic is something that we should not take for granted. It is a difficult situation and I don’t want anyone of you to be in this condition as it is emotionally, psychologically and financially difficult for our loved ones to bear.”

Despite being under isolation, Magalong said that he will still be hands on to monitor closely the city’s situation.

He said: “However, despite the predicament I am in, please be rest assured that we are still monitoring closely the City’s situation and coordinating to the proper authorities the necessary things to be done.”

He added that people still need “to further observe protocols. Let us do this for our family, our friends and everyone we care for.”

Public Information Office – Baguio chief Aileen Refuerzo said Magalong reported for work at the City Hall last Tuesday.

In a message to media, Refuerzo said: “As far as I know, the last day the mayor was (at City Hall) was last Tuesday.

She added: “Tuesday night, one of his family members tested positive, so he announced in the (city’s) mancomm (management committee) that he will undergo quarantine.”

The PIO – Baguio announced at 9:11 PM Friday night that 237 tested positive that brings the total active cases to 878, while one casualty was reported.

On Friday, only 19 recoveries was logged as the city has now 6,808 recoveries from 7,816 confirmed cases or a recovery rate of 87.10 percent.

Baguio saw a surge in Covid-19 cases the past month with 670 confirmed cases for a seven week period that ended Friday or a daily average of 95.71 cases.

The region also logged its biggest single day total of 535 with Abra’s single day high of 61 finally reported. Friday’s report showed also Kalinga’s highest day case of 93, while Mountain Province logged 64, Benguet with 50 and Apayao with 41. Ifugao had the fewest with five.

The Cordillera region has now 20,902 confirmed cases after two days into the month long extension of the general community quarantine by Malacanang.

On April 2, the DoH also announced 15,310 new cases, the biggest so far, including 3,079 backlog with 17 deaths and 434 recoveries.