DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday, September 4, 2020, that he has already tested negative for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
He said, however, that he has not fully recovered yet and was still coughing as of Thursday evening.
"Lumabas na 'yung result late afternoon Wednesday (September 2). Magpapalakas pa muna ako medyo 'yung lungs ko hindi pa fully recovered dapat kasi pag normal na you can hold your breath 20 secs pero ako hindi ko pa kaya. Umuubo pa medyo nag heal pa 'yung lungs" he said on Thursday evening.
(The result came out late Wednesday afternoon. I have not fully recovered yet. Normally, you should be able to hold your breath for 20 seconds. I couldn't do that yet. I still have cough.)
He said he will just work from home in the meantime.
Año said his wife also tested positive for the virus and was manifesting mild symptoms.
He said they are in isolation in different rooms in the same house.
"Naka-isolate kami dalawa. Kanya-kanya kami kwarto. Kanya-kanya kami buhay. Pag nag-usap kami over the phone," said Año.
Having gone through the same ordeal twice, Año urged the public to strictly follow health protocols such as using face mask and face shield in all public places, avoiding crowded places, and observing physical distancing. (VoxPop Philippines)