Theater icon Joy Virata reveals having battled COVID-19

Joy Virata, the former artistic director of Repertory Philippines, has revealed she's battled with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"When I went to the hospital because I was having difficulty in breathing, I was diagnosed as having bacterial pneumonia," Joy said in a statement published on the public Viber group of the Department of Health.

Joy went through her symptoms: dry cough, fever, diarrhea, and no appetite.

"I was heavily dosed with antibiotics. Everything tasted like sand," she narrated.

But her test came back negative seven days later, so she was discharged.

"At home, I slowly recovered my strength and thanks to concerned friends who sent me good food to tempt me, I regained my appetite," she continued.

A month after her negative test, Joy had herself tested again and it came back positive.

"I continued to be asymptomatic but 10 days later, another test still came out positive. I remained in isolation for four more weeks or a total of eight weeks," she said.

Joy described it as the "hardest" to be "feeling absolutely well but unable to get out of my little room."

DOH Viber group

It was only after Joy was given a rapid test, which had shown she was positive for antibodies, that she was finally cleared from quarantine.

Joy has no idea how or when she got infected with the disease.

"There is still a lot that is not known about this virus," she said, reminding everybody that what is only definite is that "there are three simple rules that, if followed strictly by everyone, could lick this pest."

"Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer, strictly observe physical distancing, and wear a mask to protect others and hope everyone wears a mask to protect you," she added.

DOH reminded the public that the pandemic is not over yet and that people shouldn't be complacent and echoed what Joy said. People need to be responsible in following the protocols, not just to protect themselves but to protect others as well.

Joy is the wife of former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, who was reportedly hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment and related complications. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News