Despite negative for coronavirus, Sen. Binay opts to continue self-quarantine

Sen. Nancy Binay. FILE PHOTO / Albert Calvelo / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay will continue with her 14-day self-quarantine despite testing negative for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday morning announced that Binay, along with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, tested negative for the virus.

Gatchalian, for his part, said that he will end his self-quarantine following the negative test results.

“I’m taking this opportunity to thank everyone for their encouraging messages, outpouring support, love, and prayers,” Binay said in a statement.

“I will still continue with my 14-day quarantine. Hindi pa po tapos ang laban natin kontra sa [our fight is not yet over against] COVID-19, and we don’t want to have a false sense of security, kung kaya hinihikayat pa rin natin ang lahat na huwag na munang lumabas sa kanilang mga bahay, mag practice ng social distancing, at ugaliing maghugas ng kamay for 20 secs [we encourage everyone to stay at home, practice social distancing and regularly wash your hands for 20 seconds],” she added.

Stressing that COVID-19 is a “serious matter,” Binay urged the public to take necessary precautions in protecting yourselves “for the sake of our families and everyone else.”

“Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyong mga dasal [Again, thank you for all your prayers]. With God’s grace, we will all get through these dire times,” she said.

Gatchalian and Binay opted to subject themselves into self-quarantine and be tested for the coronavirus disease after attending a Senate committee hearing on March 5, where a resource person who later tested positive for the disease was present.

Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri announced Monday evening that he tested positive for the disease, making him the highest-ranking official in the country so far to be infected by the virus, which was first detected in Hubei, China late last year.

As of date, the Philippines has 142 confirmed coronavirus cases, 12 of whom have died while three recovered.

COVID-19, now considered by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, has infected more than 160,000 people in over 140 different countries and territories.

Edited by JPV