Another COVID-19 Positive Patient in Baguio City, Reveals Identity

August 14, 2020594 views0

Another individual who tested positive of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has revealed himself. Today, August 14, 2020, Mr. Gina Socal, a COVID-19 positive government worker has not only revealed his identity but also his story and experience in dealing with the disease.

Socal is a fifty-four (54) year old who is employed at the DTI Central office in Makati, and he is currently living with his wife and daughter, 10 years of age, in an apartment at Pinsao Pilot barangay.

He came to Baguio City to visit his family on August 3, 2020. At around 2:00 PM of August 6, 2020, Socal was informed that he tested positive of COVID-19. On the same day, he was fetched by an ambulance and was taken to the Sto. Nino isolation center where he is currently at.

Luckily, Socal’s wife and daughter, on the other hand, have tested negative of the disease.

Mr. Socal’s Full Statement

Read below for the full statement of Mr. Socal, as published by the Public Information Office – City of Baguio:

“I am Mr. Gina Socal, 54, employed at the DTI Central office in Makati. I am currently living with my wife and 10-year-old daughter in an apartment at Pinsao Pilot barangay. I came up to Baguio to visit them on August 3 where I immediately had a swab test at Teachers Camp because for the past two weeks, I was having chills, feeling fatigued and had colds. However, the day before I came up to Baguio, I felt completely fine but still convinced myself to have a swab test to be sure. Thank God I did.

Even before getting the results, I already isolated myself from my family, again, just to be sure. Sure enough, on August 6, at around 2 pm, I was informed by a medical doctor that I tested positive for Covid-19. I even forgot the doctor’s name at natulala na ako upon hearing the sad news. I was fetched by an ambulance at around 7pm of the same day, a few meters away from my apartment and taken to the Sto Nino isolation center where I am at present.

Honestly, I feel fine: No chills, colds, and aches. I pray that I will fully recover soon. I have asked my relatives in Cotabato to pray for me and requesting the good people of Baguio for their prayers. I thank God that the swab tests of my wife and daughter came back negative.

When I was still in Makati, I was not feeling well as I mentioned earlier so I took paracetamol but it did not help. Fearing it may be covid, I went to a medical facility but was told they do not conduct swab tests. I was pointed to a facility that does but was discouraged by the price. Anyway, I got suddenly better, like I said, the day before I came up to Baguio. Thank God, I still took the swab test when I got here.

My advice is that if any of you do not feel well, especially if this takes several days, you should immediately have yourselves tested or checked by medical professionals. We should not be afraid to admit if we do not feel well. The longer we deny that we are not well or are sick, the more we put ourselves, loved ones and others at risk. Time is of the essence.

I thank my office for their support but most especially the city government of Baguio under Mayor Benjie and the medical frontliners for showing that they genuinely care for covid-19 positive cases like myself and are doing their very best to make us better. Keep praying for us please. God bless to you all.”