2 children of Jinggoy found positive for A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines - Two children of Senate Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada have been found positive with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus last week and are now quarantined in their home while recovering. Estrada, who just arrived from Europe, told reporters in a phone interview Wednesday that it was his 19-year old daughter, a student of Dela Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila, who was first to get infected with the virus. Estrada's 15-year old son then acquired the virus from his sister. The two were confined for three days at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center but are now in their home to recuperate. Estrada, who has two other children, remained optimistic on the condition of his sick kids. "Overacting lang yung mga sobrang natatakot. Hindi nakakamatay, yung namatay may underlying causes. It is mere influenza and not life threatening, there is no need to panic. Our only fear is the spread of the virus in our household," Estrada said. Earlier in the day, the Department of Health said the number of A(H1N1) cases swelled to 604 after it listed 131 additional Influenza A(H1N1) cases Wednesday, the biggest increase in a span of 24 hours since the department monitored confirmed cases on May 21. It was not immediately known if the two children of Estrada were already included in the DOH's list. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, however, emphasized that 464 victims had already fully recovered, bringing the recovery rate to 77 percent. - GMANews.TV