Presidential spokesman Harry Roque is the latest Cabinet member to get infected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Appearing in a virtual press conference Monday, Roque confirmed that he tested positive for the coronavirus illness, adding he has shown no symptoms of the illness.
"Bukas po 'yung magiging case bulletin ng DOH kasama na rin ang inyong abang lingkod because as of 11:29 this morning, nakuha ko ang resulta na positive ako para sa COVID (I will be included in the DOH's case bulletin tomorrow because as of 11:29 this morning, I got the results that I tested positive for COVID)," he said in a press briefing aired on state television Monday, March 15.
Roque admitted that his infection comes as a shock and a surprise, citing he has taken health precautions including regular testing.
"Exactly one year after ECQ, naabutan ako ni COVID-19 (COVID-19 caught up with me)," he said. "I'm asymptomatic. I'm very much shocked and suprised na bigla akong nag-positive (that I tested positive)," he added.
Roque said he took the COVID test Sunday as part of the health precautions prior to attending a meeting with President Duterte Monday. The President usually holds a meeting with top government officials every Monday and delivers a public address afterwards. "Dito lumabas na tayo ay positibo (The test result showed I am positive)," he said.
Roque has appealed to people who had close contact with him to undergo immediate quarantine as a precaution. "I ask for your indulgence but kinakailangan na kayo ay mag-quarantine (but you have to undergo quarantine)," he said.
Roque said when he took a COVID test last March 10 prior to joining the President's visit to Dumaguete City, he tested negative for the illness at the time. Roque traveled to Ilocos Norte last Friday and held a press briefing there along with local government officials.
Since he learned about the test results when he was already at the office, the Palace official decided to go ahead with his press briefing via Zoom. "Nag-iisa ako sa opisina. That's why we are on Zoom," he said.
Roque said he plans to go to an isolation facility to recover from the illness. He said he intends to continue his job as spokesman although he admitted he won't be as effective since he could not attend meetings with the President.
He added that he had no close contact with the President during their recent meeting.