Defense Sec. Lorenzana tests positive for COVID-19, undergoes isolation

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Concerns arise as Lorenzana was in IATF meeting with Pres. Duterte just last week

Cropped photo from a Malacanang photo release showing Defense chief Lorenzana making the signature Duterte fist pose along with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte in a meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on March 29, 2021 in Malacanang.  Other cabinet officials who were also in the original photo (but not shown here) are Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., and Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. (Cropped from Malacanang photo release)

 

(Eagle News) – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Lorenzana, 72, in a statement, said that he received his test results on Tuesday, April 6, that showed he was positive for the virus, and would thus be “undergoing isolation” to avoid infecting other people.

“The result of my RT-PCR test today, 06 April 2021, came up positive. I will be undergoing isolation, following the quarantine guidelines to avoid infecting others,” he said.

“Those who have been exposed to me have been informed. They have been advised to isolate and get tested for COVID-19 as well,” Lorenzana said.

He said that the Department of National Defense would “continue to operate with a skeleton workforce to ensure continuity of service, with the prescribed health protocols strictly enforced.”

-Virus threat real, says Lorenzana-

“I would like to remind everyone that the threat of the virus is as real as ever, more so now due to the new variants. Let us all cooperate and abide by the prescribed health protocols to help in curbing the spread of COVID-19,” his statement read.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 29, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Just a week ago, on March 29, Lorenzana was in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacanang Golf Clubhouse where various matters were discussed including the latest COVID-19 situation.

In that meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), Lorenzana was seen in various group photos including one where President Duterte was signing the proposed grant of financial assistance to the Local Government Units placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

-Palace photos show DND chief, other cabinet members in huddle with Pres. Duterte on March 29-

President Rodrigo Dutete discusses matters with Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III prior to the start of the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 29, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Dutete discusses matters with Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III prior to the start of the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 29, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte flashes his signature pose with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., and Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. following the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 29, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs the proposed grant of financial assistance to the Local Government Units placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) following the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 29, 2021. Witnessing the signing are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., and Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Another Malacanang photo showed the President in a huddle with various cabinet members including Defense Secretary Lorenzana who was then wearing a face mask and face shield.  The President himself was also wearing a face mask.

Recently, more cabinet officials have tested positive for COVID-19, including Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (who had since tested negative for the virus after quarantine) and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Prior to this, Roque claimed that there is strict procedures for government officials before meeting with President Duterte. He said that they regularly take RT-PCR tests as a precautionary measure to protect the 76-year old Philippine leader who has comorbidities. It was in one of these routine swab tests that Roque found he was positive for COVID-19 on March 15. He took the test on March 14.

Malacanang has yet to disclose details if Lorenzana had also undergone such routine tests before the IATF meeting with President Duterte on March 29.

(Eagle News Service)