Deputy Speaker Leachon reveals he contracted COVID-19 but already recovered

MANILA, Philippines — Senior Deputy Speaker Doy Leachon on Sunday revealed that he contracted COVID-19, but he has already recovered from the deadly respiratory disease.

Leachon said he and his wife both contracted COVID-19 and “struggled” with it, but are “both okay now.”

“Eighteenth day ko today, got swab test again last night, negative. I’m okay na, 5 days walking na ako sa village with mask and shield,” Leachon told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

He said he suffered from fever, cough, and no sense of smell and taste.

“In fact, until now, I can’t smell and taste everything,” he added.

Leachon said his wife struggled more from the symptoms of the disease, experiencing fever for six to eight straight days. His wife has since recovered, with no more fever for six days and no more cough, he added.

Meanwhile, his three children, their house help, drivers and security were all negative from the coronavirus, he said.

“Home care with close monitoring of my brother Dr. Tony Leachon,” he said.

Leachon is the 12th lawmaker who contracted COVID-19.

The other lawmakers include: Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Mannix Dalipe, Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Eric Pineda, Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV, Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, and Surigao Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Bulacan 4th District Rep. Henry Villarica, Sulu 1st District Rep. Samier Tan, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Francisco Datol Jr., and Sorsogon 2nd District Rep. Ditas Ramos.

Datol and Ramos died after contracting the disease.

JE