
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says he is now inclined to undergo a facility-based quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
During his stint as presidential spokesperson amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Roque has undergone 35 RT-PCR tests.
He said he is currently asymptomatic and admitted that he was shocked to find out that he was infected with the virus.
“It came as a surprise and a shock. It’s not just a shock na after about 35 tests nag-positive tayo,” he noted.
The Palace official said he plans to stay at an institutional quarantine facility since his wife also has comorbidities like him.
Sec. Roque clarifies, however, that he had no close interaction with President Rodrigo Duterte or other Cabinet members.
He says he met the Chief Executive last Thursday, March 11 on the launching of the rehabilitation projects for the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport and he was still negative for COVID-19.
“Hindi naman ako nakipag-close interaction with anyone kasi pag public event, hindi naman ako bumubulong and I tried to keep my distance also,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the official also advises those who had close contact with him during the past days to undergo quarantine and RT-PCR test.
The official will keep on working while in isolation.
He will also attend the meeting with the President and the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 virtually.
“Tinamaan po tayo ng COVID-19. Wala naman po tayong sintomas. Mag-a-isolate tayo para huwag makahawa,” he said.
“Pero tuloy po tayo sa hanapbuhay dahil ganiyan po talaga ang buhay. Tuloy-tuloy ang buhay kahit nandiyan si COVID,” he concluded. – MNP (with reports from Rosalie Coz)