CALOOCAN CITY, March 30 (PIA) -- Despite testing positive for COVID-19, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday assured that he is in a stable condition and will continue to "work hard" and to perform his duties well.
“I would like to confirm that I have, unfortunately, tested positive for COVID-19. Though I am asymptomatic, I was immediately isolated and placed on home quarantine,” Sec. Andanar told the PIA-NCR in a statment.
"Rest assured, I am okay and I will still continue to work hard and to perform my duties well, including hosting regular shows to inform the public, as I recuperate from the virus," he added, saying he is asymptomatic.
The PCOO chief was in Loreto, Dinagat Islands, some 1,179 kilometers south of Metro Manila, last March 22 for the conduct of the Explain, Explain, Explain information drive on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Roadmap. The rollout is being conducted in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency.
Prior to reaching Loreto, however, he said his reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) yielded a negative result.
Andanar said he underwent another RT-PCR test upon returning back to Manila on March 27. The result showed that he was positive for the virus.
He also assured that contact tracing has been done among those he has interacted with including family members and staff.
Meanwhile, Andanar dismissed as fake news and disinformation some "malicious" allegations that he violated travel restrictions.
"Do not entertain the claims of malicious gossip mongers, that are being circulated through text messages. I would not violate travel restrictions, as these strict protocols are in place for our safety, more importantly, I would never jeopardize the well-being of others," he said.
“I would not violate travel restrictions, as these strict protocols are in place for our safety, more importantly, I would never jeopardize the well-being of others,” he added.
Andanar also urged the public to observe quarantine protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields, washing of hands, and practicing physical distancing to mitigate the risk of catching or spreading the virus.
“I would like to remind everyone that we are all still susceptible to COVID-19. Anyone can be infected, which is why we need to strictly adhere to the safety protocols,” he said.
"I also call on those in areas under ECQ to be extra vigilant and to follow the extra measures set in place by our government, they are for everyone's safety," he added. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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