FORMER President Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), his sons said Monday, March 29, 2021.
Former senator Jinggoy Estrada said he noticed his father, 83, growing weaker.
"Huwebes napansin ko na na medyo nanghina ang kanyang katawan. Madalas siyang magpunta sa banyo. Medyo kinabahan na ako. Pina-swab ko that day, negatibo naman. Pagkatapos kahapon napansin kong mahinang mahina siya. Hinihingal," the younger Estrada said in a radio interview.
"Doon na ako naalarma. Inuubo din. Sabi ng doktor na kakilala ko dalhin na sa ospital," he added.
As standard operating procedure, Estrada underwent swab testing. This time, the result was positive for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
Another son, former senator JV Ejercito, asked for prayers in a social media post.
"Please pray for my father who has tested positive for Covid-19 and was rushed to the hospital. Please pray for all those who are likewise fighting this virus," Ejercito posted on social media.
Please pray for my father who has tested positive for COVID-19 and was rushed to the hospital.
Please pray for all those who are likewise fighting this virus.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito)
He said the former president was brought to the hospital Sunday afternoon, but had to stay overnight at the emergency room because there were no available rooms.
"Hospitals are really full, my father was rushed yesterday afternoon, but stayed overnight at the emergency room because no room was available. Luckily, by 11 a.m. (Monday) they were able to give him a room already," he said in another post.
Younger son Jake Ejercito said the former president is in stable condition.
"Our dad, former president Joseph Estrada, tested positive for Covid-19. He's now confined in a hospital and is in stable condition. Please pray for his recovery and the recovery of everyone affected by the virus," he said in a separate post.
Our dad, former president Joseph Estrada, tested positive for COVID-19. He's now confined in a hospital and is in stable condition. Please pray for his recovery and the recovery of everyone affected by the virus
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio)
Jinggoy Estrada said the former president may have contracted the virus from one of his visitors.
He said his father seldom stepped out of their home.
He and other close contacts of his father have undergone swab tests and gone into isolation.
Estrada served as former president from June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001, when he was ousted from office during the Second Edsa Revolution. (VoxPop Philippines)