Robredo on quarantine after close-in security tests positive for COVID-19

Vice President Leni Robredo said on Saturday, April 17, that she has gone on quarantine after her close-in security tested positive for COVID-19.

Robredo announced this in a Facebook post on Saturday, April 17. She said she was supposed to return to her home region, Bicol, that day to pay her last respects to her friend, Osy Rivera, who died of cancer.

“I received a contact tracing call informing me that my close-in security has tested positive. I was with him in the car, in the elevator, and in the office almost everyday this week,” she said.

“We have regular surveillance antigen testing in the office and we do follow very strict health protocols but because I was a very close contact, I need to do the required quarantine and do an RT-PCR test after my quarantine,” she added.

Robredo said she was supposed to head to Bicol after their Swab Cab operations on Saturday. Under Robredo’s Swab Cab initiative, free antigen testing is given to residents in coordination with the host local government. It was first launched in Malabon City, followed by Quezon City.

Robredo spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez, said Robredo was tested for COVID-19 on Friday, April 16, in preparation for her Bicol trip, which came out negative. Her accompanying security officers were also tested as part of the protocol and that was when one of them tested positive.

“Following protocol, she has gone into quarantine for the mandated seven-day period, after which she will again be tested. She is showing no symptoms, and will continue to supervise all operations – including Bayanihan E-consulta and the Swab Cab – from quarantine,” Gutierrez said.

“She is thankful to all those who have expressed their concern,” he added. – Rappler.com