Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was in Dumaguete City with President Rodrigo Duterte and Negros Oriental officials on Thursday, announced Monday, March 15, that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Contact tracing of those who came in contact with the secretary during his visit to Negros Oriental is underway, Assistant Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Liland Estacion, said.
They have so far swabbed six people for COVID-19 tests, which include Roque’s driver, the person who served him food, and the persons he ate with while in Negros Oriental, she said, but added that they did practice health protocols.
Further contact tracing is still underway, she said.
She said Negros Oriental Roel Degamo, who was at the inauguration of airport and port projects attended by Roque and the President, observed health protocols when he interacted with the secretary.
They did not eat together, they observed distancing when they briefly spoke to each other, and they had face masks and shields on, so the governor is low risk for the virus, she said.
“As of 11:29 this morning, my results showed I tested positive for Covid,” Roque said in a virtual press briefing.
He urged those he has had close contact with to undergo isolation and follow minimum health standards, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Roque said he is currently asymptomatic and admitted that he was “shocked” and “surprised” to find out that he was infected with the virus in his last reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.
He assured that he tested negative for Covid-19 last March 10, a day before his last interaction with President Rodrigo Duterte in Dumaguete.*