Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Philippine President to be Tested for Coronavirus, Palace Cleaned

Associated Press

   MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is being
   tested for the new coronavirus after meeting with Cabinet officials who
   were exposed to infected people and have now been self-quarantined, an
   official said Thursday.
   Duterte has no symptoms of COVID-19 but wanted to make sure he is
   healthy and can continue to engage with the public, said Sen.
   Christopher Lawrence ``Bong'' Go, a former presidential aide who still
   accompanies Duterte to official functions.
   "Considering that some Cabinet members we engage with regularly have
   been exposed to individuals who were tested positive for COVID-19 ...
   it is just prudent for us to take precautionary measures in compliance
   with the advice of our health officials," Go said.
   Go, who was elected to the Senate last year, told reporters he and
   Duterte planned to be tested but did not elaborate.
   At least six Cabinet members, including Executive Secretary Salvador
   Medialdea and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, have said they were
   exposed separately to COVID-19 patients and decided to self-quarantine.
   Several mayors and senators have also gone on home quarantine after
   coming into contact with patients.
   Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said some finance
   officials who had been with Dominguez later held a news conference at a
   presidential palace briefing room. The press area was later
   disinfected, along with a media working area and presidential
   conference halls.
   "Some members of the Malacanang press corps who covered the economic
   briefing also deemed it best to undergo self-quarantine," Andanar said,
   referring to journalists covering presidential palace events.
   Duterte's elite presidential guards announced early this week that they
   will enforce a "no touch policy" for Duterte to protect him from the
   virus and screen politicians and dignitaries who get near him. But
   Duterte played down the restrictions and suggested that he was not
   intimidated by the disease.
   "That protocol is foolish. I will shake hands," Duterte said. "If God
   calls me now, I'll go. I'm done. I'm the president now, the highest
   post anybody could reach."
   Duterte was to lead an inter-agency task force on the outbreak on
   Thursday and then announce possible new steps to fight the disease.
   Health officials have confirmed 52 cases of the virus, and two people,
   a Chinese and a Filipino, have died.
   The illness causes mild to moderate symptoms in most people but can be
   severe in the elderly and people with other health problems.
   Duterte, 74, who took time off from work due to illness several times
   last year, postponed a trip to Boracay island on Thursday due to
   concerns over the virus, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
   He had planned to travel to the beach resort to promote domestic
   tourism amid a slump in arrivals of foreign tourists because of the
   pandemic.
   Concerns over the outbreak have been complicated by fears that a water
   shortage in the Manila metropolis could worsen as the scorching summer
   season sets in.
   "How will we wash our hands if there's no water?" opposition Sen. Risa
   Hontiveros asked.