Manny Pacquiao said he has tested negative for coronavirus, according to CBSSports.com.
Pacquiao, who is in quarantine with his family after coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive for the virus, said he used a rapid testing kit from South Korea.
He would take a swab test if he shows symptoms. He has shown no signs of illness.
The 41-year-old boxer and senator in the Philippines was instructed via an official letter Saturday to place himself and his family in quarantine after he was seen in a photo with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, who later was diagnosed with the virus.
“My countrymen, I would like to make it clear that even before I received the letter from [Barangay Captain Rossana Hwang], I already started home quarantine,” Pacquiao said in a formal statement. “Please don’t worry. I received rapid testing kits from my friends from South Korea. Using these kits approved in Korea, I tested negative. The FDA hasn’t approved them yet, but these are what’s used in Korea.”
Pacquiao said last week that he was buying testing kits and face masks in the fight against the pandemic. He also has donated buses to transport medical personnel to where they are needed in Manila
He told The Manila Bulletin he will work with his fellow citizens where ever he has to, even if it puts him at risk of infection.
He added that he was “not afraid to die.” He said it was his duty to help fellow Filipinos.
‘If you are a leader, you have to be a front-liner,’’ Pacquiao said. “You have to lead people and let people see that you are with them. I grew up poor. I know what they feel.”
According the The Bulletin, Pacquiao has helped pay for testing devices and surgical masks. He said he was waiting on a shipment 50,000 more testing kits from China.
As of Sunday, the Philippines has reported that 1,418 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Seventy-one people have died.
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