LOOK: COVID-free Erap flashes a thumbs-up sign from ICU

MANILA, Philippines — Hours after his sons disclosed that he has already tested negative for COVID-19, a photo of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada flashing a thumbs-up sign surfaced on the internet.

Ex-senator JV Ejercito posted on his Facebook account such a picture of his father, with some medical machines still attached to him, and thanked those who offered prayers for the former leader’s recovery.

In the same post, Ejercito revealed that the former Manila City mayor will be transferred to a regular hospital room after staying in the intensive care unit for some time due to complications brought by the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

“Thank you everyone for the prayers. My father is now negative for COVID. He will be transferred to a regular room from the ICU in a few days,” the former senator said.

“Prayers indeed moves mountains! Again, my heartfelt gratitude to everyone!” he added.

https://www.facebook.com/SenJVEjercito/posts/4272614006081914

News of Estrada’s negative COVID-19 test result was initially announced by his first-born, ex-senator Jinggoy Estrada.

According to him, even if a high flow oxygen support remains connected to his father, the ex-President has been “conversing normally” and is “in good spirits.”

He also said that his father has been allowed to resume a soft diet.

“We are happy to announce that my dad continues to improve and we expect that he can be transferred to a regular room soon. His repeat RT-PCR (swab test) is now NEGATIVE!” Jinggoy said.

“He is still on high flow oxygen support but at a much-reduced rate. He has been allowed to resume soft diet.  Mentally, he is oriented, conversing normally and appears to be in good spirits,” he added.

https://www.facebook.com/jinggoy.estrada.14661/posts/1078845595972688

On March 29, the Estrada family announced that the former President has contracted COVID-19 and that he had to stay at a hospital’s emergency room overnight amid a crowded hospital.

Then on April 6, his son disclosed that Estrada’s pneumonia worsened and warned of the unpredictability of COVID-19.

KGA