PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday, March 15, 2021, announced that he has tested positive for the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In his regular online press briefing, Roque said he received his test result at 11:29 a.m. Monday.
He said he first had a swab test on March 10 in preparation for his trip to Dumaguete City as part of President Rodrigo Duterte's visit. The result then was negative.
He had another swab test Sunday, March 13, in preparation for the weekly Covid-19 briefing with the President Monday evening.
"'Yung mga naka...nagkaroon po sa akin ng close contact ay...I ask you po for your indulgence, pero kinakailangan po kayong mag-quarantine, kung kayo po ay nagkaroon ng close contact sa akin," he said.
Roque said he proceeded with the press briefing Monday because he was already in his office when he received the test result. He said he was alone in his office.
He again defended his statement that the government's Covid-19 response is excellent, saying this was the case before the renewed surge in cases in March.
He said transmission slowed down even after the government reopened the economy in October and the cases remained low despite the gatherings during the Christmas holidays.
"So, bagama't hindi po ako puedeng mag-conclude dahil ako po'y hindi dalubhasa, siguro naman po meron talagang ibang dahilan kung bakit sumisipa po, at hindi po ito bumubura ng ating mga nagawa sa nakalipas na taon na talaga naman pong tumaas ang kaso at napababa po natin 'yan," he said.
Based on the Department of Health (DOH) case bulletins, new cases averaged less than 1,700 a day in January, despite the so-called post-holiday surge.
The daily average increased to more than 1,800 a day in February. In the last seven days from March 8 to 14, new cases averaged 3,876, more than double the numbers in February, as Sars-CoV-2 variants were detected in the country. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)