MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar has contracted COVID-19.
In a statement on Monday, Andanar said he is asymptomatic and was immediately isolated and put on home quarantine.
He has also informed those with whom he came into contact so that they could be quarantined.
“Rest assured, I am okay and I will still continue to work hard and to perform my duties well, including hosting regular shows to inform the public, as I recuperate from the virus,” he said.
The PCOO chief also urged the public not to believe rumors of him violating travel restrictions, saying he would “never jeopardize the well-being of others.”
“At this time, I would like to remind everyone that we are all still susceptible to COVID-19. Anyone can be infected, which is why we need to strictly adhere to the safety protocols,” he said.
“I also call on those in areas under ECQ to be extra vigilant and to follow the extra measures set in place by our government, they are for everyone’s safety,” he added.
Cabinet secretaries and government personnel are among the country’s many new COVID-19 cases.
Last month, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez tested positive for the disease.
The Department of Health reported 10,016 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, marking the largest increase in new cases in a single day since the pandemic began last year.
This pushed the total number of cases to 731,894, with 602,213 recoveries and 13,186 fatalities.
The current number of active COVID-19 cases is 115,495.
READ: PH breaks record for new COVID-19 cases again with 10,016 infections
To address the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases, the government has decided to place Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday until April 4.
READ: Metro Manila, 4 provinces under ECQ due to COVID-19 surge — Palace