Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed Saturday he was in hospital for COVID-19 treatment, 27 days after he said he was diagnosed with the infectious disease and eventually tested negative after two weeks.
“I am now admitted in a hospital for COVID treatment. This is to say that COVID-19 is more transmissible now so we have to do extra precaution,” Roque said in a statement.
It was not clear from his statement when he tested positive again, whether he was experiencing any symptoms, and neither did he mention in what hospital he was admitted.
But he said despite being in the unidentified hospital, the Palace official said he would still issue a statement on the new quarantine classifications for the NCR Plus.
“I am asking for your sincerest prayers to (sic) all afflicted with COVID-19 in the country and around the world. God bless and protect us all,” Roque said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, who confirmed March 29 he tested positive, has recovered from COVID-19 after completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine at home.
“I am pleased to share that I have fully recovered from COVID-19 after undergoing a 14-day home quarantine,” Andanar said in a press statement issued on Saturday.
The result of his March 27 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test turned positive. But he was asymptomatic.
Andanar took the swab test when he arrived in Manila after visiting Loreto, Dinagat Islands for the “Explain, Explain, Explain” information campaign on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Roadmap.
“I thank the Lord for this blessing of being able to overcome the virus. I am also very grateful for (sic) my family, loved ones, and colleagues, among others, for all their support and prayers while I undertook my recovery,” he said.
Despite his recovery, Andanar said he would still observe another five days of “voluntary” quarantine to ensure the safety of people around him and those who would possibly meet him after his isolation.
He reminded Filipinos to continue following the minimum public health standards to stop the further transmission of COVID-19.
He encouraged people who have tested positive for COVID-19 not to lose hope.
“With this, I call on those who have contracted the virus to remain strong-willed and to be hopeful of their recovery. And to trust that our Divine Creator will hear our prayers of healing and health,” Andanar said.
The Philippines logged a total of 840,554 infections after recording 12,225 new cases as of Friday.
There are 178,351 active COVID-19 cases and around 647,683 infected individuals have recovered, while 14,520 have died.