On Friday, the Palace announced that President Bongbong Marcos has tested positive for COVID-19. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that Marcos tested positive through an antigen test.
Angeles said that the president is only experiencing a slight fever. As such, he will need to isolate for seven days.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that if Marcos is symptom-free after seven days, he may resume on site activities. This is the second time Marcos has tested positive for COVID-19.
The President’s eldest son, Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, tested negative in the antigen test. The rest of the first family, the President’s wife and two sons, have not been exposed to the president.
Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez attended morning briefings in Marcos’s place. Marcos will also skip the US Embassy event for US Independence; instead he will attend the event virtually.
Officials who have been in close contact with the President have tested negative. They will be closely monitoring their health should they experience any symptoms.