MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte would no longer take another coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President remains “fit and healthy” and was not exposed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año who tested positive for the virus.
“PRRD remains fit and healthy. No need for a 2nd COVID test,” Panelo said in a message to reporters.
“He was not exposed to Sec. Año prior to March 26 when the latter was exposed to four persons confirmed infected with the virus,” he added.
Año said he had interacted with four positive COVID-19 people, including Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia.
“He does not have any symptoms of colds, cough, fever, sore throat or shortness of breath,” Panelo further assured.
Duterte tested negative for COVID-19 over three weeks ago after some Cabinet members placed themselves on self-quarantine due to exposure to an infected individual.
The President spent his 75th birthday last March 28 while on self-quarantine as advised by his doctors.