MANILA – Former President and Manila City mayor Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after being rushed to the hospital on Sunday.
According to his son, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, Erap was hospitalized after his oxygen level went down. Right now, the former President is in stable condition.
On Sunday, the former senator was alarmed when he noticed his father was catching his breath and coughing although he tested negative for the virus last week.
“Noong Huwebes napansin ko na medyo nanghina ang kanyang katawan. Madalas din magpunta sa banyo. Kaya pinaswab test ko that day, negative naman,” the former senator told DZBB on Monday.
“Pagkatapos, kahapon [Sunday] napansin kong mahinang mahina siya. Hiningal. Inuubo din. Kaya sinabi nung kakilala naming doctor na dalhin na sa hospital. Then doon natest siyang positive,” he added.
Jinggoy was clueless to where his father contracted the virus as the 83-year-old Estrada seldom goes out.
“Unang-una, mahigpit naming sinasabi sa kanya na senior citizen siya, madaling mahawa. Siguro one of his visitors merong may COVID-19, nahawa siguro,” he said.
Jinggoy added that they will not allow visitors to enter their house anymore to prevent the further transmission of the virus./PN
