Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) – Transportation Chief Arthur Tugade has been added to the list of government executives now under quarantine after exposure to individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.
He joined Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana, and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. who have all been under quarantine after being exposed to their infected staff and household members.
“Sec. Tugade is currently under isolation po,” Transportation Usec. Giovanni Lopez said during a recorded meeting aired Thursday night.
Lopez did not mention if the DOTr chief was just exposed or had contracted the virus.
Earlier on Thursday, Puyat said she recently was exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual. She added she is already vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
“I will continue to work from home for the meantime until I get my medical clearance on the 10th day from first exposure,” she said in an Instagram post.
The other three Cabinet members did not physically attend the weekly meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, but they joined via Zoom.
Duque said he’s not experiencing any symptoms.
In the same meeting, Lorenzana said four of his household members have tested positive for COVID-19.
Galvez, on the other hand, said he was exposed to two patients after his office recorded 15 cases.
