Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 12) — President Rodrigo Duterte was tested Thursday for COVID-19, his longtime aide-turned-senator Christopher “Bong” Go said.
Go said he and 74-year-old Duterte got tested for the viral disease at 5 p.m. at Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañang. No results have been released yet, but both of them are not showing any symptoms for COVID-19.
The PSG said they decided to suspend Duterte’s trips abroad, especially to countries reporting COVID-19 patients, upon recommendation of the Health Department.
In the Philippines, 52 have been infected with the virus and two have died because of it. Two have recovered, while 48 are admitted at various hospitals in the country.
Globally, over 126,000 people have contracted the disease with more than 4,600 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University’s global tracking of cases.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which is related to the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but is not as deadly, with the fatality rate standing at around three percent.
According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of patients only experience “mild illness” and eventually recover. It added that some 14 percent experience severe illness while five percent were critically ill.
The disease is spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when people infected with the virus cough or sneeze.
To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.
Commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms are fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. Those with severe and critical symptoms should call the Health Department at (02) 8-651-7800 local 1149-1150.
The WHO now calls COVID-19 a pandemic, but stressed that this should not cause alarm as it can still be controlled since 90 percent of infections are being reported in only four countries, while outbreaks in China and South Korea are slowing down.
“We are not doing this because we have symptoms of COVID-19. We are doing this to ensure that we are fit and healthy to engage the public and perform our duties in the coming days and weeks. As always, the President and I remain ready to serve and die for the Filipino people,” Go said.
Despite this, he told CNN Philippines via text message that he will not yet go on quarantine.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) has suspended foreign travels of President Duterte in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
