PCR-based test confirms Pacquiao is coronavirus-free

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao has been cleared of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), after he underwent a polymerase chain reaction or PCR – based test.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

In a statement on Monday, Pacquiao said he first had himself tested using a rapid testing kit similar to the one used in South Korea.

While the result showed he was negative for the virus, he said he took a confirmatory test using a PCR-based COVID testing upon the advise of Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Infectious Disease Department of the San Lazaro Hospital.

Similar to the result of the rapid test, the PCR-based testing also yielded the same negative result.

The senator underwent the tests following a March 27 letter from officials of a posh Makati City village led by Rossana Hwang who asked members of Pacquiao’s household to stay indoors due to COVID-19 concerns.

The barangay officials asked members of the Pacquiao household to stay home as the senator has been identified as a person under monitoring for possible COVID-19 infection.

This after he came in contact with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III who was seen “partying” at Pacquiao’s mansion along with other political personalities.

But in a letter to Hwang, Pacquaio insisted that the alleged “party” was actually a political meeting and was held long before Pimentel was possibly exposed to a COVID carrier.

“This event happened on March 4, 2020. I am sure our Dasmariñas Village guards have records of this if only proper verification was made. Let me also emphasize that it was not ‘partying’ as stated in your letter. It was a political meeting,” Pacquiao’s letter to Hwang read.

“The word ‘partying’ casts me as someone insensitive to the current crisis of the nation,” he added.

Prior to the tests, Pacquiao said he and his family already decided to go on a self-imposed home quarantine as a precaution after some of his colleagues tested positive for the virus.

Pacquiao said he was thankful that the test showed he and his family are safe from the virus that has so far infected over 6,000 in the country.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo kay Lord dahil patuloy tayong prinoproteksyonan. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa DOH at sa mga taong sumama sa pagdarasal upang malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito,” Pacquaio said.

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala at hindi ko sasayangin ang inyong pagmamahal. Susuklian ko po ito ng mas masigasig pang paninilbihan sa bayan,” he added.

GSG