Former President Estrada dealing with pneumonia, but stable

Ex-President and former Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada is dealing with severe pneumonia but is in a stable condition, his son, former senator Jinggoy Estrada said Monday.

Earlier in the day, Jinggoy announced Erap had tested positive for COVID-19.

Jinggoy said Erap exhibited symptoms such as diarrhea, shortness of breath, and coughing. His oxygen level also gone down.

“I had to call out family doctors and instructed me to bring him to the hospital right away,” Jinggoy said in Rida Reyes’ report on “24 Oras.”

Jinggoy said they had to wait for hours inside the ambulance before being allowed to enter the emergency room. They had to wait a few more hours before being admitted to a room.

Further, Jinggoy called on the public for prayers for his father’s swift recovery.

“We are quite devastated. Of course, he is the head of our family and we are quite sad about the outcome, but my father is a fighter, everybody knows that. I think he’ll get through this. I hope so. I am seeking for everyone to include my dad in their prayers,” he said.

Jinggoy said Erap might have gotten the respiratory illness from those visiting his father’s house.

He had advised all his father’s close contacts, including his mother former senator Loi Ejercito, to get swab tested. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News