Taipan Lucio Tan is in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, his daughter Vivienne said Sunday, as she appealed for prayers from the public.
The 86-year-old, with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion (P155 billion), controls Philippine Airlines, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers, Fortune Tobacco, Philippine National Bank and University of the East.
"My dad was admitted to the hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19. He is in stable condition, responding well, and recovering," Vivienne said.
"We would like to request for some privacy at this time. Plsease continue to pray for his speedy recovery. Thank you," she said.
Tan's diagnosis underscores the severity of the COVID surge in the Philippines that has forced a fresh lockdown of some 24 million people in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to avoid further strain on the health system.
Former President Joseph Estrada also had COVID-19 and recently tested negative for the virus but remained in intensive care due to a lung infection.
Vice President Leni Robredo said Saturday she was self-isolating after one of her security staff caught COVID-19.
The Philippines on Saturday breached the 200,000-mark in total active COVID cases, an all-time high, after confirming 11,101 new infections, official data showed.
There were also 72 new deaths and 799 new recoveries, bringing the cumulative totals to 15,810 and 706,532, respectively, the Department of Health said. The total active cases stood at 203,710.
Since the pandemic started, the Philippines has reported a total 926,052 COVID-19 cases.
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