Vice presidential bet Doc Willie Ong contracts COVID-19

Dr. Willie Ong. (Photo from Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong on Friday said he contracted COVID-19.

“I have COVID, Day 2,” Ong said in a Facebook live stream.

“Nagla-live ako dahil sa tingin ko, may lesson din naman at maituro ko sa inyo, habang yung hindi pa tinatamaan, maka-ingat pa ng konti. Iba yung inaral ko sa Covid, iba yung na-experience mo mismo. Iba ‘yung libro, iba ‘yung aktwal,” he added.

As he disclosed his condition, Ong took time to warn his viewers about the Omicron variant, which he said is “not mild” and is “worse” than flu.

“Kalokohan ‘yung binabasa ninyo sa Google, sa internet. Mas matindi ito kaysa flu. Ito ang pinakamatindi kong sakit. Masakit sa ulo.  May sipon sya pero matindi ‘yung ubo. May plema na ako, wala na rin akong boses,” he said.

Ong added that he experiences post-nasal drip and difficulty in sleeping, among others. While he still has his sense of smell and taste, he said he sometimes loses his appetite.

The vice presidential bet also said his symptoms come in waves. He said he would feel like he was recovering but then his symptoms would return after a while.

“Kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit may namamatay, kasi sipa nang sipa ‘yung sakit,” he added.

Ong, citing his personal experience, told his viewers to always practice physical distancing and to wear at least two masks to curb possible transmission.

“Kung gusto ninyong umiwas, iwas kayo sa tao talaga. Kung gusto ninyo, mag-double mask kayo,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ong advised those who are also sick with COVID-19 to drink lots of water and take medicines like paracetamol for fever, expectorants for coughs, among others, as well as vitamins.

“Any brand is okay,” he said.

Since he got infected, Ong said he started taking Molnupiravir, an anti-viral drug used in treating mild to moderate COVID-19.