DOH Secretary Duque tests negative for coronavirus

NEGATIVE. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III answers questions from the media after the Senate public hearing on the Philippine government's preparedness in facing the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – After being exposed to a senior health official who had the coronavirus, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview on Sunday, March 22, with DZBB radio that Duque tested negative as of Saturday night.

His exposure: The Philippines’ top health official said that he was in close contact with the COVID-19-positive official for “about 3 times.” Vergeire said that Duque was in stable condition.

“I have no fever, so I’m pretty okay. It’s just that of course I’m watching over my hypertension and asthma,” Duque told Rappler in an earlier interview.

His quarantine: Being a person under monitoring (PUM), Duque is still on self-quarantine. He began his self-isolation on Wednesday, March 18.

Vergeire said that Duque did not show any symptoms and continued to work from his home as cases continued to rise in the country. – with a report from Mara Cepeda/Rappler.com