TV Patrol anchor Bernadette Sembrano said she tested positive for COVID-19 but not showing any symptoms.
In an Instagram video on Thursday, Bernadette who is self-isolating said that the result shocked her because she was feeling “healthy.”
“I tested positive for COVID. Nagulat din po ako kasi wala akong nararamdaman at all. In fact, I feel healthy, walang symptoms. But meron kaming mandatory RT-PCR test sa work so when it came out, na windang din ako,” she said.
Nevertheless, the broadcast journalist decided to open up on her diagnosis to raise awareness on the risks of being an asymptomatic COVID-19 carrier.
“I am coming out para ma-enlighten ang marami sa atin. Kadalasan ang iniisip natin pag COVID, yun pong pasyente nating mahina ang katawan, may tubo, nangangayat, inuubo, pero marami po ang kagaya ko na asymptomatic,” she said.
She said the scary part of having no symptoms is that you could be transmitting the virus without knowing it. Studies have shown that asymptomatic coronavirus carriers are silent spreaders with high viral loads.
“Asymptomatic na feeling mo wala kayong sakit, wala kayong COVID at patuloy po tayong naghahalubilo kasama ibang tao,” Bernadette said.
“Yun ang nakakatakot because we can be endangering the lives of the people around us and the lives of our loved ones. So, please practice the health protocols. We’re doing it not only to protect ourselves, but we’re doing it to also protect our loved ones.”
She also encouraged her followers to get vaccinated if they can.
“I still believe that we can thrive and outsmart the virus. Alam naman natin ang gagawin natin eh. Nakalusot pero sa awa ng Diyos na-test agad, nakapag-isolate kaagad. So let’s just pray for the best. I’m praying for you and please pray for us too, kaya natin yan,” Bernadette said.
“Sa panahon ngayon di natin kaaway ang isa’t isa. Ang kaaway natin COVID so hopefully we can fight this together. God bless everybody,” she ended.
On Wednesday, Julius Babao, Karen Davila and Alvin Elchico had to take over as anchors of the Kapamilya flagship news program after Bernadette, Noli de Castro and Henry Omaga Diaz went into self-quarantine.
