On the evening of March 31, Philippine Interior Minister Eduardo Arnold issued a statement saying that his test result of a new crown pneumonia was positive and the infection was confirmed.
Arnold stated that on March 26, he learned that he had contact with four confirmed cases and started self-isolation. He was tested for the virus on March 27, and was informed on the 31st that it was positive.
Arnold said he doesn't have any symptoms at the moment, but he called on those who have been in contact with him recently to be isolated. He called on all people to continue to live in isolation and maintain social distance in order to defeat the virus.
This is the first cabinet minister in the Philippines to be diagnosed with new crown pneumonia. Earlier, the Philippines had been infected by several key personnel, including three senators and the chief of staff of the armed forces.
(Reporter Huang Yan of the main station)