MMDA spokesperson tests negative for coronavirus disease

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago announced Friday that she is negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“I started to have colds, dry cough and other flu-like symptoms during the first three days of my quarantine,” Pialago wrote in a Facebook post.

“Since COVID symptoms are flu-like, I requested for a Covid test, and the result thankfully was negative,” she added.

https://www.facebook.com/mmdaspokesperson/posts/3043048492413910

The MMDA official said she decided to disclose this development to inform her close contacts.

“I owe it to the people who were with me from March 18-22, since I was in close interaction with people who later tested positive for COVID-19,” Pialago said.

Pialago and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia placed themselves under self-isolation on March 23 after interacting with a patient positive for coronavirus disease.

However, Garcia announced over the weekend that he contracted the infectious disease.

GSG