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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider MMDA spox tests negative for COVID-19

MMDA spox tests negative for COVID-19

Published Apr 3, 2020 12:00 am
By Jel Santos  Despite her flu-like symptoms, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago, on Friday, April 3, said that she tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago (YOUTUBE) MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago (YOUTUBE / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Since COVID-19 symptoms are flu-like, I requested for a COVID-19 test, and the result thankfully was negative. Thank God!" she told reporters. On March 28, her colleague, MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia announced that he has contracted the dreaded COVID-19 disease. Pialago and Garcia immediately placed themselves under self-quarantine on March 23 after learning that they have been exposed to a COVID-19 patient. The MMDA spokesperson said that she started to exhibit flu-like symptoms such as colds and dry cough after three days of her home quarantine. “I have to undergo a test as I have interacted with so many people during the early days of the crisis,” she said. As her personnel have been experiencing discrimination, Pialago felt that it was her responsibility to inform them that she tested negative for Covid-19. “I have to assure these people that they are not going to get the virus from me. My staff members are being discriminated and guarded in their own communities because of unverified fear that they are carriers of the virus,” she said. “Neighbors of my personal assistant asked their barangay office to take her out of my place and detain her. My staff are undergoing difficulties because of me but I can’t do anything because these are protocols to ensure the safety of other people in their community,” Pialago added. She, meanwhile, advised the public to stay at home to help stop the spread of the dreaded disease. “Please stay at home and continue to watch your health,” she ended.
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