After contracting the disease in 2020, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. tested positive for Covid-19 anew, Malacañang revealed.
In a press briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the President has tested positive in an antigen test for Covid-19.
"He has a slight fever, but he is otherwise okay," she said Friday, July 8.
Following his second bout with the virus, Angeles said Marcos is encouraging the public to get vaccinated.
"The President encourages the public to get their vaccine series and boosters," she said.
According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the President will have to go into isolation for seven days before returning to his usual routine.
"The President will be isolated for seven days from the time he tested positive," she said.
"After that, if his symptoms have resolved already, he may be able to go back to work and have his face-to-face activities," she added.
Meanwhile, Angeles said those in close contact with President Marcos were already informed by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to observe their symptoms per protocol.
A day before testing positive for the virus, President Marcos led the mass oath-taking of newly appointed officials. He likewise met officials from the Department of Energy (DOE).
On Wednesday, the President met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malacañang,
According to Angeles, the President's usual close contacts have tested negative for the virus. These people include her and Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez.
Ilocos Norte First District Representative Sandro Marcos likewise tested negative for Covid-19 despite being with his father when the latter met with Health officials on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the other members of the First Family were not exposed to President Marcos as they were out of town.
Marcos's recent Covid-19 diagnosis took a toll on his busy schedule. He missed Friday morning's briefing on security matters. Rodriguez attended the meeting in his stead.
The President also skipped the commemoration of the 246th Anniversary of US Independence at the US Embassy on July 8.
However, President Marcos will virtually attend and give a message at the League of Governors and Mayors meeting of officials on Friday evening as part of the continuing campaign for vaccination of Covid-19.
The renewed campaign for Covid-19 vaccines is in preparation for the face-to-face opening of classes this school year.
According to Angeles, the meeting was initially planned to have a dinner, but that meal was removed to prevent officials from removing their masks.
Vice President Sara Duterte, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and Undersecretary Vergeire will present at the meeting.
This is President Marcos's second bout with Covid-19. He first caught the disease in March 2020, which supposedly happened after returning home from a trip to Spain.