Erap in high spirits – Jinggoy

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Joseph Estrada is in high spirits as he continues to recover from COVID-19, his son former senator Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday.

“My father is stable, he is still on a high flow of oxygen support but the ventilator was removed (last Friday) and he will start on exercise today to speed up his recovery,” Jinggoy said in a radio interview.

The 83-year-old Estrada was intubated and sedated as his pneumonia, an ailment associated with COVID-19, worsened before he got better.

Jinggoy said that after almost two weeks, they were able to see their father through Facetime on Friday, an indication that his health condition improved. He said that last week, doctors said it was impossible for the elder Estrada to speak.

“He is in high spirits. He said he wanted to go home,” Jinggoy said, adding that his father is still in the intensive care unit but they hope he would be transferred to a regular room soon.

Jinggoy said his father’s release from the hospital depends on his recovery.