Pangilinan yields negative result for Covid in latest RT-PCR test

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday said he tested negative for Covid-19 after yielding a “false positive” result in a previous swab test.

In a social media post, Pangilinan shared that his wife Megastar Sharon Cuneta, their children and house help members are all negative for the dreaded coronavirus.

My latest RTPCR test result is negative! Sharon, the kids& househelp also negative! My Dr. sister says my prior result was a false positive as none of us have symptoms. We need FREE testing for ALL who need it so we are ALL better prepared to manage Covid. Thank u for ur prayers! pic.twitter.com/C3UPYU76t3

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) January 11, 2022

“My latest RT-PCR test result is negative! Sharon, the kids and house help [are] also negative! My [doctor] sister says my prior result was a false positive as none of us have symptoms,” his tweet reads.

On Sunday, Pangilinan disclosed that his entire family is in isolation after he tested positive for Covid-19.

He, however, said that none of them are exhibiting symptoms and raised the possibility that it might be a “false positive” after his sister who is working as a healthcare worker disclosed that the laboratories processing Covid tests are already swamped due to the spike in infections in the country.

Following his latest result, the vice-presidential aspirant rallied for free Covid-19 tests noting that it will help the country in managing the virus.

Dapat libre ang testing sa kailangan magpatest. Sa maraming bansa libre ang testing. Dito sa atin kulang ang testing, napakamahal ang singil at pinapae-expire habang nasa storage ang libulibong testing kits na kalahating bilyong piso ang halaga. 2 taon na..DAPAT FREE TESTING NA!

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) January 11, 2022

“We need free testing for all who need it so we are all better prepared to manage Covid,” he said.

The Philippines is now at “critical risk” for Covid-19 following the surge in cases due to the Omicron variant.

On 11 January, the country breached its 3-million mark after it reported 28,007 fresh cases. This brings the total number of infections since the start of the pandemic to 3,026,473.

Of the figures, 181,016 are active cases, 2,792,946 have recovered while the total death toll stood at 52,211.