DTI chief Lopez tests positive for COVID-19, now in isolation

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is now in full isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19, the fourth Cabinet official to contract the disease.

In a statement on Wednesday, Lopez said he was tested over the weekend after exposure to another individual who tested positive last Tuesday, December 2, 2020.

"Am asymptomatic naman but am on full isolation already," Lopez said. He did not elaborate.

In a separate statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Lopez last attended a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on November 20 or 19 days ago.

The Presidential Security Group implements strict COVID-19 prevention measures to ensure that Duterte is safe.

As of Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the Philippines has recorded a total of 442,785 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This includes 408,790 recoveries and 8,670 deaths.

Other Cabinet officials who had tested positive for COVID-19 were Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Education Secretary Leonor Briones. All had recovered. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas and Virgil Lopez/KBK/RSJ, GMA News