Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19.

In a public advisory, the provincial government said Defensor started to manifest symptoms on Thursday, April 13.

Those who had close contact with the governor were advised to “look out for signs and symptoms, and observe necessary health protocols.”

The province, as of April 15, has 906 active COVID-19 cases, according to the Department of Health (DOH-6).

Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, the province has logged 50,178 infections, the highest in Western Visayas. Of the figure, 47, 585 have recovered and 1,643 have died.IMT