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TIMELINE: Koko Pimentel repeatedly broke quarantine despite symptoms, COVID-19 test


Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has been under fire for visiting a Makati hospital despite being a person under investigation for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The day after the visit, the senator announced that he had tested positive for the virus.

Here is a timeline of the events:

March 11

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced that a resource person who attended a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture tested positive for the COVID-19.

Gatchalian said he would undergo self-quarantine as he personally interacted with the resource person. Senator Nancy Binay later announced that she too would follow suit.

However, according to GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo's Thursday report on 24 Oras, Pimentel did not attend the hearing on March 5, making it unclear where he acquired the virus.

March 12

Several other senators including Sonny Angara, Bong Go, Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Imee Marcos, and Bong Revilla also announce they will undergo self-quarantine as a precaution against the virus.

Other government officials announce that they are following suit.
 
March 14

Pimentel said he began experiencing body pains and other symptoms.

March 15

The community quarantine on Metro Manila took into effect.

March 16

Prior to testing positive for the virus, Pimentel visited the S&R Membership Shopping Club in Bonifacio Global City at 1:59 p.m.

On the same day, Senate Majority Leader Zubiri announced that he tested positive for the virus.

President Rodrigo Duterte also announced a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

March 17

Gatchalian and Binay test negative for the virus.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Pia Cayetano, Panfilo Lacson, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Francis Tolentino took a COVID-19 test.

March 18

Pimentel developed a fever and experienced slight sore throat, body pain, and diarrhea.

March 20

Pimentel took a swab test for COVID-19 at 11 a.m.

March 24

Pimentel brought his pregnant wife to the Makati Medical Center at around 6 to 7 p.m.

While in the hospital, Pimentel said he received a call from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on his COVID-positive status at around 9 p.m.

March 25

Pimentel announced that he has tested positive for the virus.

Makati Medical Center Medical Director Saturnino Javier later denounced Pimentel's visit, saying it was "irresponsible and reckless."

"We denounce the irresponsible and reckless action of the senator. He added to the burden of a hospital trying to respond in its most competent and aggressive manner to cope with the daunting challenges of this COVID-19 outbreak," Javier said.

His wife, Kathryna, meanwhile said the senator never entered the delivery room amid rumors circulating online.

March 26

S&R announced that it has placed employees who came in direct contact with Pimentel on March 16 under quarantine.

--JST/MDM, GMA News

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