By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and capitol consultant Alfredo Benitez along with 13 mayors allied with Love Negros will undergo swab tests at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City tomorrow, five days after they were exposed to Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco at a party luncheon at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.

Provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said participants of the event have submitted themselves for the RT-PCR tests.

Mayors and board members under the Love Negros banner attended a fellowship luncheon on September 18.

On Monday, September 20, Zayco announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.

He is currently in a stable condition at a private hospital in Bacolod City.

Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares posted on his Facebook account on Tuesday that he, too, was tested positive for the virus.

The mayor said it is possible that he was infected with the virus at a department meeting.

Asked if the drivers and bodyguards of the officials present at the event will also be tested, Diaz said, ” I don’t know who had drivers and bodyguards. But if they have close contacts and long exposures they can also bring them for swabbing too.”/DGB, WDJ