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GMA News reporter Chino Gaston gets tested for COVID-19

GMA News reporter Chino Gaston got himself tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after experiencing flu-like symptoms and losing his sense of taste and smell.

In a video posted on his Facebook account, Gaston said he started self-isolating at home to protect his wife and kids but he eventually decided to undergo the swab test.

He documented the process at the Mandaluyong City Hall on July 22 and showed how a frontliner in full personal protective equipment got his samples.

"'Yung swab sa lalamunan, medyo makati lang sa lalamunan nung tinusok," he said.

He quickly added, however, that the swab into both of his nostrils was a lot more uncomfortable.

"Feeling mo parang pumapasok talaga hanggang sa kaloob-looban nung ilong mo," he said. "At 'yung sensation parang 'yung napapasukan ng tubig 'yung ilong mo pag nagsi-swimming ka sa swimming pool pero mas masakit."

The reporter said it was his first time getting the swab test for the coronavirus.

"Sabi ko talaga hindi madali 'yung swab testing and I would not do it again kung may choice ako," he said. 

Aside from Gaston, fellow GMA News reporter Saleema Refran previously got tested for COVID-19 but her results came out negative.

Meanwhile, GMA News anchor Howie Severino tested positive but he has since recovered from the disease. —MGP, GMA News