Robredo tests negative for COVID-19 but 4 OVP staffers catch virus

Vice President Leni Robredo has tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but four of her staff were confirmed to have the respiratory illness, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said Sunday.

OVP spokesman Barry Gutierrez said a staffer engaged in COVID-19 response operations tested positive last week, prompting a work suspension and testing for all personnel including Robredo.

“VP Leni tested negative for COVID-19, but three additional staffers tested positive. The office has already started contact tracing procedures to identify all those who have interacted with the four staffers that tested positive,” he said in a statement.

Gutierrez added that office operations at the OVP would be temporarily halted to make way for disinfection procedures.

“Now that a handful of staffers have actually tested positive for the virus, and while we will take every precaution to protect the rest of our staff, our commitment to continue our work to support our nation’s COVID-19 response efforts remains firm and undimmed,” he said.

The OVP has been leading several initiatives to aid health workers as the country grapples with the COVID-19 threat, including free shuttle and dorm services as well as donations of personal protective equipment. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News