Sen. Bato dela Rosa. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has already been tested negative for coronavirus more than three weeks since he announced that he contracted COVID-19.
“Ok na, negative na swab test ko last Friday [I’m already ok, my swab test turned out negative last Friday],” Dela Rosa confirmed to INQUIRER.net in a text message.
He also said that he has already been discharged from the hospital.
“Bahay na ako [I’m already home],” he said.
Dela Rosa announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus on Nov. 21. He was reportedly hospitalized two days after his announcement.
In a separate message to reporters, Dela Rosa added that he would donate his convalescent plasma in a bid to help other COVID-19 patients recover.
Plasma is a yellowish, liquid component of blood that contains antibodies that are deemed vital for boosting the immune response to bacteria and viruses.
In this experimental treatment, the convalescent plasma in the blood, which contains antibodies, is collected from COVID-19 survivors and used to treat others suffering from respiratory disease.
Dela Rosa was the fifth senator to contract and recover from COVID-19 along with Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Sonny Angara, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.