Zubiri tests negative again for COVID-19, to continue quarantine

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri's negative test result for COVID-19 on Tuesday disputed the positive one he obtained the day before.

In a message to reporters, Zubiri announced that his PCR-based test conducted by the Philippine Red Cross showed he is free from the live coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.

"Thank you so much for the concern and prayers! I AM NEGATIVE. Thank you to our Lord God above! My confirmatory test with the Philippine Redcross has come out and shows that I no longer have live RNA cells of COVID-19," Zubiri said.

"What the infectious disease experts have told us is that the DOH (Department of Health) result yesterday possibly detected remnants of dead virus cells which is a common occurrence with recovered patients," he added.

LOOK: Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri tests negative for COVID-19 in the PCR test conducted by the Red Cross. Citing info from infectious disease experts, Zubiri said remnants of the virus could have been detected when he tested positive yesterday. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/UdoJ452YFb

— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) July 28, 2020

He stressed that Red Cross' PCR machines can differentiate the live virus from the remnants.

Nonetheless, Zubiri said he will continue his home quarantine in the meantime "just to be sure and safe."

Zubiri was one of the eight senators who had to go through COVID-19 tests on Sunday as part of the safety protocols for attending the 5th SONA in Batasang Pambansa on Monday. He canceled his attendance and preferred to monitor from home.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay earlier said they will also have to subject themselves to quarantine for interacting with Zubiri during lunchtime without face masks.

Zubiri was among the three senators who tested positive for COVID-19 in previous months, along with Senators Sonny Angara and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. They all have since recovered. — RSJ, GMA News