Ferdinand Marcos Jr tests positive for Covid-19 after assuming presidency


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New Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday and is isolating for a week.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Mr Marcos Jr, 64, has a slight fever but “is otherwise OK.” He will not be able to attend an event at the US embassy and will join a separate meeting with governors and mayors virtually, regarding coronavirus booster shots.

People who came into contact with the president, including his son, have tested negative for the virus and others were being notified that he has been infected, Ms Cruz-Angeles said.

His diagnosis comes only two days after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, where neither party wore masks, photographs showed.

Mr Wang is now in Bali for the G20 gathering. His delegation has been informed of Mr Marcos Jr's Covid-19 test result, the Chinese embassy in Manila said.

It is the second time Mr Marcos Jr has tested positive for the virus, the first time being two years ago after a trip to Spain. He was then admitted to hospital in Manila and treated for breathing difficulties but made a recovery.

He was sworn into office on June 30 after a landslide victory in a stunning political comeback for the Marcos family. His father and namesake, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in a 1986 “People Power” pro-democracy uprising, after a two-decade reign that was marked by human rights atrocities and plunder.

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Updated: July 08, 2022, 11:19 AM`