Rapid test shows Locsin negative for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. disclosed on Tuesday that he had tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after undergoing a rapid test.

In a tweet, Locsin said he got tested as “a precondition to entering” Malacañang.

So far, only two Cabinet secretaries—Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año and Education Secretary Leonor Briones — have tested positive for COVID-19. Both have already recovered.

“I was rapidly tested, result in 10 minutes as a precondition to entering Malacañang. Negative! I left the Palace to the go to the airport to see off hundreds of Canadians,” Locsin aid.

I was rapidly tested, result in 10 minutes as a precondition to entering Malacañang. Negative! I left the Palace to the go to the airport to see off hundreds of Canadians. I need to go to the Palace again for another test. Karlo Nograles has had all his fingers punctured already. https://t.co/pNQhkRjzCM

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 14, 2020

“I need to go to the Palace again for another test. Karlo Nograles has had all his fingers punctured already,” he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), has been assisting stranded foreign nationals in the Philippines so that they could fly back to their countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of this writing, the Department of Health has confirmed 5,223 COVID-19 cases nationwide, of whom 335 have died and 295 have recovered.