Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham "Baham" Mitra recently tested positive for COVID-19, his brother Jorge announced on social media on Tuesday.
Mitra tested positive after undergoing the saliva RT-PCR test of the Philippine Red Cross. He is now undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in his hometown of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
"Our family is requesting prayers of recovery for your youngest brother, Philippine Games and Amusement Board Chairman Baham. In Palawan and for the sports world, he is your brother too," posted Jorge on Facebook.
The elder Mitra sibling also reminded everyone to follow protocol and to be vigilant now, as cases are on a sharp rise.
"We would like to use this crisis in our family to remind everyone to, not just be as vigilant as before, but even more so now," mentioned Mitra.
He added that Baham "always followed" all safety protocols in his recent trips to other provinces with relation to his job as GAB Chairman.
"We believe his infection may be the new and more infectious COVID-19 variant," surmised Mitra.
Mitra told ESPN5 that he is fine. "I believe my body is strong enough, and there are no symptoms now," he said in a text message.
While Mitra did not say where he had gone since arriving in Palawan on Mar. 3, he admitted that contract tracing is now underway.
"There has been a massive contract tracing effort locally because I was here since March 3 in Palawan," he said.
A Facebook post claims that Mitra attended the Acacia Tunnel lighting ceremony in Brgy. Inagawan, Puerto Princesa last Mar. 7.