MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Friday said that he has tested negative for COVID-19.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office, the Chief Justice opted to be tested after traveling to The Netherlands early this month and later on showing symptoms of the disease.
The Chief Justice together with the Philippine Delegation went on an official business trip from March 1 to 7, 2020 to The Hague, Netherlands to attend The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) General Affairs and Policy Meeting, to witness the deposit of the instrument of accession to the HCCH Service Convention, and to receive a briefing from HCCH Officials on conventions of interest to the Court.
Upon arrival, he did not get tested because he was not showing any symptoms. Later on, however, he started showing symptoms including persistent coughing. He then went on self-quarantine at his house.
He was advised by his doctors to take the test. The test was conducted on March 17.
As of March 19, 2020, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 59 issued by the World Health Organization shows that the Netherlands has 2,051 confirmed cases.