Oaminal says he has recovered from COVID-19, tested negative on Monday

Deputy Speaker Henry Oaminal on Monday evening said he has tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid reports that he tested positive for the illness on Sunday but still attended a House hearing on Monday.

In response to a Rappler report that he tested positive on Sunday, the lawmaker said he took an RT-PCR test in the early hours of Monday and submitted to the House of Representatives the negative test result on the same day.

He also took an on-the-spot rapid antigen test and tested negative. 

“In compliance with the protocols, I submitted my Vaccination Card, and took the required on-the-spot Rapid Antigen test, which confirmed my negative result… I am also not experiencing any symptoms,” he said.

Oaminal tested positive for the virus on May 16 and went into quarantine.

"After the DOH-prescribed period of quarantine and isolation, I no longer had symptoms. A series of RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests confirmed that I have already tested negative for COVID-19," he said.

"On June 2, 2021, I received my second dose of the vaccine," he added.

“As far as the SONA is concerned, I would like to make it very clear that I only attended the SONA virtually. I was not physically present as I went home after consultation with the House leadership on my previous positive result,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Oaminal for further details. — BM, GMA News