Vice presidential spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez said on Saturday, April 17, that Vice President Leni Robredo continues to do her job even after her close-in security detail tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement, Gutierrez noted Robredo was tested for COVID-19 on Friday, April 17, before her scheduled trip to her home province of Bicol, which came out negative.
“Her results came back negative, but one of the security officers that was supposed to accompany her, and with whom she had been in contact with, tested positive,” he said.
“Following protocol, she has gone into quarantine for the mandated seven-day period, after which she will again be tested,” Gutierrez added.
The vice president was supposed to leave for Bicol to pay her last respects to her friend, Osy Rivera, who died of cancer.
EMBED: https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/17/vp-leni-in-self-quarantine-after-being-exposed-to-covid-19-positive-security-aide/
In a Facebook post, Robredo said she received a call from a contract tracer informing her that her security aide contracted the virus, prompting her to cancel her trip.
“We have regular surveillance antigen testing in the office and we do follow very strict health protocols but because I was a very close contact, I need to do the required quarantine and do an RT-PCR test after my quarantine,” she said.
Those who came in close contact with Robredo’s security escort have been advised to isolate and get tested.
Gutierrez said the vice president is “showing no symptoms, and will continue to supervise all operations -- including Bayanihan E-Konsulta and the Swab Cab -- from quarantine.”
True enough, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) brought out Saturday its Swab Cab mobile program, which aims to provide free COVID-19 antigen testing in communities, in Quezon City.
The spokesperson added Robredo was “thankful to all those who have expressed their concern.”