Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on Tuesday, July 14, that he has self-quarantined after his senior aide tested positive for the coronavirus.
Lorenzana said in a statement that his senior military aide, Colonel Rolando Nerona, got the positive COVID-19 result on Monday, July 13. Nerona was tested on Friday, July 10.
“I had myself swabbed this morning and will self-quarantine to await the results,” said the defense chief.
Lorenzana said Nerona accompanied him to Jolo, Sulu, on Monday, July 13, but his aide immediately isolated himself when he learned of the positive test result upon landing in Jolo, where President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to address troops.
The defense chief noted that Nerona “was not in the event with the President in Jolo yesterday as he was in seclusion.”
“He came back with us to Manila yesterday in PPE,” he added.
Lorenzana said Nerona had also joined him during a trip to Subic, Zambales, last Friday.
“ All passengers of both planes have been informed and others he came in contact with while in Subic so that they can have themselves tested and go on quarantine,” he said.
It was the second time for Lorenzana to self-quarantine due to exposure to a confirmed coronavirus case.
In late March, the defense chief self-quarantined in after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Felimon Santos Jr tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Lorenzana tested negative then.