Malacañang said on Friday that Marcos had tested positive for COVID when subjected to an antigen test. This is the second time that Marcos contracted the viral disease, the first being in March 2020.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told a press briefing that President Marcos “has a slight fever, but he is otherwise okay.”
Owing to this, those who have had contact with the President have been advised to monitor if they have symptoms or get tested.
Marcos’ son, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, tested negative for COVID-19, while First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and sons Simon and Vincent were out of town and were not exposed to the President.
In the same briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Marcos would have to isolate for seven days and that the need for him to undergo a confirmatory RT-PCR test would be up to his doctor.
“After that, if his symptoms have been resolved already, he may be able to get back to work and have his face-to-face activities,” Vergeire said.
On behalf of the President, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez attended a security meeting on Friday morning.
President Marcos will also be not attending the 246th anniversary of the US Independence at the US Embassy in Manila, although he will give a message at the League of Governors and Mayors’ meeting of officials on Friday evening, virtually.
Meanwhile, Marcos’ wife Liza and son Sandro were negative for COVID, along with his other family members.
