- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the San Carlos Diocese has again tested positive for COVID-19, Rev. Fr. Marjun Almario, chancellor of the Diocese said in a statement Sept. 19.
“I regret to inform the faithful that Most. Rev. Gerardo Alminaza has been tested positive for COVID-19 again. He is asymptomatic. However, he is required to isolate himself for the time being,” Almario said.
The Diocese is encouraging those persons who may have interacted with the bishop in the past few days to observe home quarantine and cooperate with authorities for proper health protocols.
“We ask for everyone’s prayers for his fast healing as well as for other COVID-19 patients. Let us continue as well to pray for those in the frontlines who are constantly taking risks to care for us,” Almario added.
Alminaza, 62, first tested positive for COVID in June this year.
He was discharged from the San Carlos Doctors Hospital on June 25 after a six-day confinement and completed the 21-day quarantine.
He was vaccinated with the single-dose Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen during a vaccine rollout of the San Carlos City government in July.
Meanwhile, prayers poured in for the immediate recovery of Cardinal Jose Advincula, who tested positive for COVID recently.
In a statement Sept. 17, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, the archdiocese’s chancellor, said that aside from a “slight fever,” the cardinal is not experiencing any other symptoms.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President, Archbishop Romulo Valles, asked for prayers so that Advincula “can resume his important ministry” in the Church.
“We extend our prayers of fast recovery, complete healing, and good health to Cardinal Advincula,” Valles said and asked fellow bishops to offer Masses for the fast healing of the 69-year old Manila archbishop.
The Manila archdiocese said Advincula is in quarantine and observing strict protocols, adding that doctors are monitoring his condition.
Advincula, who hails from Capiz province, and used to be bishop of the San Carlos Diocese, is fully vaccinated against COVID.-CGC
