Erap hospitalized, positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Former president and Manila mayor Joseph Estrada was rushed Sunday night to the hospital due to COVID-19, his son and former senator Jinggoy Estrada said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said yesterday he also tested positive for COVID in a swab test at the airport on March 27 upon his arrival from a trip to the Dinagat Islands. He said he was negative when he took the trip.

In a telephone interview yesterday with The STAR, Jinggoy said his father complained of weakness and diarrhea, prompting him to rush the former president to an undisclosed medical facility.

“I rushed him to the hospital after he complained of weakness and suffering from diarrhea. Prior to last night, he tested negative in his swab test on Thursday. However, he complained of weakness of the body and showed symptoms of COVID-19. After consulting our family doctor, we were advised to bring him to the hospital,” Jinggoy said.

He said Estrada’s oxygen level was low.

“The doctor is also looking into pneumonia. He is now in stable condition as compared to Sunday night,” Jinggoy said.

The Ejercito-Estrada family is asking the public for prayers for his immediate and full recovery.

Despite testing negative for COVID-19 last Thursday, former president Estrada has now been diagnosed as having the virus.

“Maybe he got it from his visitors,” Jinggoy added.

Members of the family, including Jinggoy, who were in close contact with the elder Estrada on Sunday will undergo swab testing this week.

Estrada is turning 84 on April 19.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. extended yesterday his best wishes for Estrada’s speedy recovery.

“Be well, sir,” Locsin tweeted.

“A kind man in the Presidency he was; always a kind man and a gentleman; he carried the loss of power and position with admirable lightness,” he added.

The secretary expressed his support for the OCTA Research Group’s call for residents of the National Capital Region to be prioritized in the government’s vaccination program in order to slow down the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. – Pia Lee-Brago