DPWH chief tests positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Mark Villar is in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a Facebook post yesterday, Villar announced he received his test results showing he is infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The public works chief is the third Cabinet official to test positive for the virus, after Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Villar was recently designated as the
government’s isolation czar, tasked to build and upgrade existing quarantine facilities.

In a text message to The STAR, Anna Mae Lamentillo confirmed that Villar tested positive for COVID. She did not give additional details.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque heaved a sigh of relief after results showed he tested negative for COVID-19.

Roque said he was scared after learning that Villar tested positive for the virus.

“I am pleased to announce that the results of my RT-PCR test conducted yesterday in Taguig City yielded a negative result,” Roque said, referring to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test.

Roque said he would take more precautionary measures when attending meetings with President Duterte on the country’s quarantine status.

“Be that as it may, I will exercise prudence and will still subject myself to a rapid test upon entry prior to the meeting today with President Duterte,” he said.

“As a precautionary measure, I will stay at the farthest end of the room and will apply the health protocol of wearing a mask, keeping distance and sanitizing and washing my hands. Stay safe everyone,” Roque added.

Earlier, Roque said he underwent swab test when he joined a presser of the Taguig local government unit which showcased its drive-through swab testing service.

Roque joined Villar during the groundbreaking of Cavite segments 2 and 3A of the Cavitex-C5 Expressway link last Friday.