Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. (File photo)
MANILA – Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday wished for the speedy recovery of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año who has contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a press statement, Nograles said Año being infected with Covid-19 is a “painful reminder” that the virus can infect anyone, regardless of “age, gender, title, and station.”
“(Secretary) Eduardo Año is the first member of the Cabinet to contract the Covid-19 virus. I join all those praying for the good health of Secretary Año and hope that he recovers soon,” he said.
Año serves as vice-chair of the National Task Force that implements the government’s stringent measures against Covid-19.
He announced on Tuesday night that his test results showed that he is positive for Covid-19.
Año has been on self-quarantine since March 26 after learning that he interacted with four people who have tested positive for the virus.
Nograles acknowledged that front-liners battling Covid-19 are “most vulnerable” to the disease.
He lauded Año for practicing self-isolation to spare others from acquiring Covid-19.
“By exercising prudence and staying home, he has spared many others from sharing his fate,” Nograles said.
He noted that like Año, he and other public officials have also decided to undergo self-quarantine and work from home due to their exposure to potential carriers of Covid-19.
Nograles said everyone should also exercise prudence by observing strict home quarantine to stop the further transmission of the infectious disease.
“This recent development also emphasizes the need for all of us to act responsibly in the midst of the greatest public health crisis of our time,” he said. “This is consistent with what we have stressed from day one: when in doubt, stay at home.”
All households in Luzon have been compelled to stay home and limit their movements to accessing basic necessities as the entire island was placed under enhanced community quarantine.
Local governments in other areas outside of Luzon have also imposed lockdowns as part of efforts to arrest the spread of Covid-19. (PNA)
