Marcos tests positive for Covid-19

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tested positive for Covid-19, Malacañang confirmed Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Marcos will be in isolation for five days, but he will continue to conduct online meetings.

«The President remains fit to carry out his duties and will be continuing his scheduled meetings via teleconference,» she added.

The Palace official said that updates on his health will be provided as available.

«During this holiday season, President Marcos encourages the public to take precautions to safeguard their health, such as vaccinating and voluntary mask-wearing when entering crowded places,» Garafil said.

This is the third time the President has contracted Covid-19. He last tested positive for the disease in July 2020.

His first bout with Covid-19 was in March 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel «Migz» Zubiri on Tuesday said senators who were diagnosed with Covid-19 can virtually attend Senate sessions and committee hearings.

Zubiri made the statement amid reports of soaring respiratory cases in the country, and after Sen. Cynthia Villar admitted that she contracted Covid last week.

«Under our rules, we have suspended the online session to go back to face-to-face [sessions], however, we agreed to exempt members with Covid,» the Senate chief said.