MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday announced he has tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), almost two weeks after contracting the infectious respiratory illness.
“Nag-negative na test result ko from RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine). I was tested last April 8 and I received the result of the test today,” Año told reporters in a text message.
Año became the first member of the Duterte Cabinet to test positive for the disease on March 31.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones also announced that she tested positive for the disease on April 9. But on Monday morning, Briones said she is now negative for the virus.
On Monday afternoon, the Department of Health reported 284 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s total to 4,932. Of the number, 315 patients have died while 242 were able to recover.