Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said Tuesday, March 16, that he is not in quarantine because he did not come in close contact with Secretary Harry Roque during his visit to Dumaguete City on March 11.
Roque announced on Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Roque was negative for the virus when he was in Dumaguete for the inauguration of port and airport projects with President Rodrigo Duterte, because he could not go close to the president if he were positive, Degamo said.
He must have gotten the virus a day after he returned to Manila, said Degamo, who led the turnover of two dump trucks in Tayasan town Tuesday, March 16.
Dr. Liland Estacion said as of Tuesday, they have contact traced 17 persons who had direct contact with Roque who have been swabbed for COVID-19 tests.
The Dumaguete City officials, including Mayor Felipe Remollo, who were present at the events attended by Roque on March 11 were not considered close contacts of the secretary. They tested negative, Rey Demecillo of the City Inter-Agency Task Force said.
“Secretary Roque said he tested negative before and after he left Dumaguete, so he must have gotten the virus on his return to Manila,” Demecillo said.*