Malacañang on Friday (Feb. 4) said President Rodrigo Duterte is healthy following his reported quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure which was confirmed by his spokesperson on Thursday (Feb. 3).
During his Palace briefing, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Duterte has already completed his quarantine after his last day of exposure on Jan. 28.
“Okay naman si Pangulo ‘no, he is as healthy as any healthy individual at his age could be,” he said, in response to queries about his recent routine medical checkup at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
“Based on the protocols ng DOH [Department of Health], sa updated guidelines on the quarantine of asymptomatic close contacts na fully vaccinated, ang quarantine ni Pangulo could be discontinued on February 3, 2022 which was Thursday, kahapon po,” he said.
Read more: Pres. Duterte in quarantine after exposure to a COVID-19 case
Citing the assessment of the President’s physician, Nograles said Duterte’s last exposure was on Jan. 28 and not on Jan. 31 when another household staff tested positive for COVID-19.
“Bagama’t mayroong another household staff na nag-positive on Sunday (Jan. 31), based on the assessment noong physician, hindi naman maituturing na close contact per se or exposure iyon per se based on the circumstances noong nag-imbestiga at in-assess ng physician further,” he said.
The Palace said the Chief Executive may address the public on Monday (Feb. 7). – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG