After being the first senator to test positive on the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and strictly complying with the protocols, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is finally COVID-19-free.
On March 16, Zubiri announced that he was diagnosed with the infectious disease after taking the swab test.
After undergoing self-quarantine for 4 weeks and thorough examinations, he has tested negative.
To celebrate the news, the senator revealed that he simply wishes to hug his wife and kids as he misses them very much.
“Ang gusto kong gawin ay magkaron po ng isang lunch or dinner na kasama ko ang pamilya ko. After one month, I really miss joining them for dinner— simple things lang, napakasimple lamang— makasama ko sila, makapiling ko sila for dinner, for lunch, or even for breakfast; na makita ‘kong tumawa ang aking mga anak; na mayakap ko lamang ang aking misis one more time… I think that’s the best I can ask for,” he told the media last week.
The senator added, “Ito’y life-threatening na sakit at I’m just so happy to survive it.”
He ended the statement by encouraging the public to comply with the quarantine measures: “Again, ang panawagan ko po sa inyong mga tahanan. Traydor po itong virus na ito. Hindi mo po alam kung saan mo makukuha, pero mahahawa ka rin…,” he ended.
Following Zubiri, fellow Senators Angara and Pimentel announced that they have tested positive as well.
As of April 12, DOH has reported 220 new COVID-19 cases, 50 deaths, and 40 new recoveries, bringing the country’s total confirmed cases to 4,648. Death toll is now at 297, while recoveries is at 197.