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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zubiri recovers from COVID-19

Zubiri recovers from COVID-19

Published Jul 28, 2020 12:17 pm

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Tuesday that he has indeed recovered from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

A day after testing positive for the coronavirus, Zubiri shared the results of his confirmatory RT-PCR test from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) showing that he no longer has the disease.

"I am negative. Thank you to our Lord God above! My confirmatory test with the Philippine Red Cross has come out and shows that I no longer have live RNA cells of COVID-19," he said in a message to reporters.

"What the infectious disease experts have told us is that the DOH (Department of Health) result yesterday possibly detected remnants of dead virus cells which is a common occurrence with recovered patients," he added.

Before this, the Senate leader's swab test before President Duterte's State of Nation Address came out positive. This prevented him from physically attending the event in the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City on Monday.

Zubiri, a COVID-19 survivor, said the PRC's machines were able to detect live RNA and differentiate it from the dead pieces of the cells.

He cited studies abroad showing that patients who recovered from COVID-19 are "no longer infectious" and should the virus be detected in their system, "it is most likely remnants of the dead COVID cells which can no longer contaminate."

"Ibig sabihin nito ay hindi na po ito nakakahawa at ligtas po ang recovered patient habang meron pa po siyang antibodies (This means that it is no longer contagious and recovered patients are safe while he or she has antibodies)," he said.

Despite his latest test result, Zubiri said he will continue his self-quarantine "just to be sure."

Zubiri thanked those who sent him messages of support and prayers.

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