Philippines: 5 Employees of Cebu’s Sto. Niño Basilica Covid-19 Positive

The Basilica del Santo Niño de Cebu will remain closed to the public after five of its employees tested positive of coronavirus CBCP News reported.

In a statement released Monday, June 8, 2020, the Augustinian Province of Cebu, however, said none of its priests assigned at the basilica contracted the virus.

“Data show that out of 41 swab tests, 5 are positive. Moreover, all the Augustinian priests have negative swab test results,” said Fr. Andres Rivera, Jr., the Order’s provincial superior.

Some priests and church personnel have been isolated inside the convent since May 25 after being exposed with another employee who had Covid-19 symptoms.

“The five persons who are positive remain asymptomatic and are now on their 13th day of the quarantine period,” Fr. Rivera said.

He also informed the public that the basilica will remain off-limits to the public even as the city has shifted to general community quarantine.

Fr. Riveras said that no public Masses will be held “to sanitize the whole basilica compound and to strengthen its safety procedures and protocols”.