Philippines president in quarantine after staff member tests positive for COVID-19

​​​​​By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is in quarantine after a member of his household staff tested positive for COVID-19, the government announced on Thursday.

Presidential Palace spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement that Duterte has tested negative but “is currently observing mandatory quarantine protocols,” daily The Philippine Star reported.

“The chief executive continues to work while in quarantine, and is in constant communication with the members of the Cabinet in order to ensure that urgent matters are addressed, and to monitor the implementation of his directives, particularly with regard to the government’s COVID-19 response,” Nograles said.

Duterte has been vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine and also received a booster shot.

The Philippines has reported nearly 3.58 million COVID-19 cases to date, including 54,097 deaths, according to official figures.