Año negative for coronavirus but not fully recovered — DILG exec

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Friday.

“SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) is okay. Lumabas na yung latest swab test nung hapon ng Sept. 2 and negative na ang result,” DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya told INQUIRER.net in a text message when asked  about Año’s medical condition after contracting the coronavirus disease twice.

(His latest swab test was released on Wednesday afternoon and it showed negative results.)

Malaya said despite the completion of the quarantine period, Año is not yet fully recovered.

“Hindi pa fully recovered at may konting ubo pa din siya. Pero he’s strong na,” Malaya said.

(He is not yet fully recovered and he has a slight cough but he is strong.)

The interior department chief was first infected with the disease last March 3 and eventually recovered after receiving a negative result from his swab test on April 13. He tested positive for the virus again last Aug. 15.

The Department of Health previously warned recovered COVID-19 patients that they are not immune from a second infection, citing Año’s case. The DOH said it is still looking into Año’s COVID-19 reinfection.

/MUF