Palace spokesman contracts Covid-19

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said he had tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“As of 11:29 this morning, nakuha ko po ang resulta na positibo po ako para sa Covid (I got the result and I learned that I tested positive for Covid),” he said in his press briefing on Monday.

Roque, who admitted to having comorbidities, said he was asymptomatic and that he was considering going to an isolation facility.

While in isolation, he said he would continue with his functions as spokesman.
Roque advised those who had close contact with him to follow medical protocol and isolate themselves.

“’Yung mga nagkaroon po sakin ng close contact, I ask you for your indulgence pero kinakailangan po kayo mag-quarantine kung kayo po ay nag-close contact sa akin (To those who made close contact with me, I ask for your indulgence but you have to undergo quarantine),” he said.

He joined President Rodrigo Duterte in his visit to Dumaguete City on March 11. He said he was tested last March 10 and found to be negative.

The spokesman said he did not have close contact with members of the Cabinet and government officials who joined the President in Dumaguete, including Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

Roque said since he meets with the President several times a week, he has at least three swab tests a week.

Government officials are required to be tested for Covid-19 before meeting with the President.

Roque said he had no less than 35 tests. So it was “a surprise and a shock” that he tested positive.

The official said he regretted not having himself vaccinated against Covid-19 when he had the chance.

He appealed to medical frontliners to have themselves vaccinated.