VP Leni Robredo visit victims of “Odette” in Bais City, Negros Oriental (KARLOWE BRIER/ INQUIRER VISAYAS)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is now under quarantine after a member of her close-in security detail tested positive for COVID-19.
Robredo, in a Facebook livestream on Wednesday, said she was informed on Tuesday that a member of her security, who accompanied her in her recent visit to areas affected by Typhoon Odette, contracted the virus.
“Ngayon naka-quarantine ako. Gusto mong umikot pa pero kailangan mong maging responsible na sumunod sa protocols [Now I’m in quarantine. I still want to go around and visit affected areas but I have to be responsible and follow protocols],” she added.
Robredo said she has been under quarantine since Tuesday night.
“Yung protocol namin sa office na quarantine kami for seven days. Binibilang ko yung ika-seventh day ko ay after the New Year pa [The protocol in our office is that we need to go under quarantine for seven days. My seventh day will fall after New Year’s day],” she added.
“Di na nga ako na-expose sa mga bata pero yung isang close-in security ko, parang second time na ‘to magkaibang tao. Second time akong na-expose ako [While I was not exposed to my children, I had exposure to a member of my close-in security who is positive. This is the second time I was exposed] ,” she noted.
The Vice President also said in her livestream that her daughter, Tricia, tested positive for the virus upon her arrival from the United States this month. Tricia has since tested negative for the virus and is still under quarantine along with her two other sisters, who arrived from the U.S. with her.
“Si Tricia, asymptomatic. Negative na siya ngayon for three straight days pero patuloy kaming sumusunod sa protocols na hindi muna nagsasama sama [Tricia is asymptomatic. She has also tested negative for the past three days but we continue to follow protocols and not be around each other for the meantime],” the Vice President said.
Robredo said she continues to do her work online and assured that her team remains active in relief efforts on the ground.
“Ang dami pa naming plano pero yung kagabi. Sinasabihan ako ng mga kasama ko na isipin mo na lang na ‘forced break mo ito. Na kailangan mong huminto muna kasi kailangan mong mag-quarantine.’ Pagdasal po kami na sana hindi namin nakuha yung virus,” she said.
(We had a lot of plans. But my team was telling me to think of this as a ‘forced break.’ For me to take a step back for the meantime while I undergo quarantine. Please pray that we do not contract the virus.)
“Warning din siguro na tumataas na naman yung cases ngayon, pareho ng ibang bansa [This may also serve as a warning, our cases are getting high, like other countries],” she added.