COVID-19 free Erap discharged from hospital

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Joseph Estrada was discharged from the hospital yesterday after nearly a month of battling COVID-19, according to his son Jinggoy Estrada.

“Our family is overjoyed to announce that he will finally be discharged from the hospital today,” Jinggoy posted on Facebook.

Jinggoy expressed gratitude to Estrada’s doctors for their expertise and care.

“We would like to thank everyone who prayed with us and supported us through this harrowing experience,” the former senator said. “But most of all, we thank the Lord for his love and guidance.”

The Estrada patriarch was rushed to the hospital on March 28 due to COVID-19 and severe pneumonia.

He was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) and placed on a mechanical ventilator after his health condition worsened.

Estrada was first moved out of the ICU on April 14 after testing negative for the virus. He was again transferred the to ICU due to bacterial lung infection after two days.

The former Manila mayor was moved to a regular room on April 19 as his health condition improved, in time for his 84th birthday.