MANILA, Philippines — Disaster response and preparedness expert Dr. Ted Esguerra has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Esguerra confirmed the news in a Facebook post but assured that he is “okay and in a positive mood.”
“I just stayed in the terrace watching a patch of heaven (view has lots of buildings as obstructions. Tsk, urban jungle) and simply accepting God’s Will in my life,” Esguerra shared.
Esguerra said that he currently in quarantine and thanked those who have been sending him wellness greetings.
“While in my quarantine, I was not alone reading your messages for my well being. But don’t dismay, guys. God has His ways. I live and die under His Will,” Esguerra said.
He even managed to crack a joke.
“Don’t worry about me. I don’t want you to be alarmed. Ganito na lang: MAS MATAKOT KAYO KUNG POSITIVE AKO SA PREGNANCY TEST (Be more alarmed if I tested positive from a pregnancy test) hahaha… Tawa lang (Just laugh) to boost immune system up,” Esguerra said.
“When you believe in the healing, comforting power of the Almighty, no misery should befall thee,” he added.
Journalist Jeff Canoy also extended his wellness wishes for Esguerra.
“Just talked to Doc Ted. He’s in good spirits. Naghamon pa na paramihan kami ng push-ups,” Canoy said in an Instagram post.
“Couldn’t help but shed a tear though. Here’s a doctor who’s been hit by COVID-19 but all he can talk about is how worried he is about his colleagues who are still in the frontlines,” Canoy added.
The Department of Health (DOH) said that there are 1,418 cases of COVID-19 in the country as of Sunday afternoon.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.