MANILA – Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III has tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite being exposed to a DOH official who was infected with the virus.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, Duque received the result of his test on Saturday evening and continues to work from home.
“Si Secretary po ay nasa maayos na kundisyon at siya po ay nagtatrabaho pa rin, kakakausap lang namin sa kanya kanina. Lumabas na po ang kanyang resulta para sa COVID-19 kagabi kung saan po ito ay negative,” Vergeire said.
Duque has been tested for COVID-19 last week and underwent home quarantine. He is asthmatic and hypertensive, according to Vergeire.
The DOH earlier said its offices have been disinfected and close contacts were informed so that they can immediately undergo home quarantine and strict monitoring.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said in a radio interview that the first COVID-19 tests done to him yielded negative results while he awaits the result of another one.
“Negative po ‘yung resulta nung (unang) test na ginawa sa akin. While, wala pang resulta ‘yung second test sa akin,” Sotto said in an interview with DZBB./PN
