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

President of Philippines reported to have 'slight fever' and will miss some important engagements

Philippines' President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr, centre, is joined by his mother and former first lady Imelda at his inauguration ceremony in Manila. Getty

The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Manila. Reuters

Sara Duterte, the Philippines' new Vice President and daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, with Mr Marcos Jr in Manila. Reuters

Mr Marcos Jr is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Getty

Mr Marcos Jr is sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. AP

An activist prepares to protest against the inauguration ceremony in Manila. AP

Supporters of the new president gather in the capital. AP

The inauguration ceremony sparked a demonstration in the city. AP

Supporters watch Mr Marcos Jr and Mr Duterte on a giant screen during the ceremony. AP

The new Philippines leader arrives at the museum. AP

Mr Marcos Jr, with his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos and son Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, takes the oath as the next Philippine president in Manila. Getty

Ferdinand 'BongBong' Marcos, the Philippines' president, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Old Legislative Building in Manila. Bloomberg

Ferdinand Marcos with his wife and son at the ceremony. Bloomberg

Departing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, second from left, shakes hands with incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during the inauguration ceremony for Mr Marcos in Manila. AFP

Departing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, centre left, is escorted as he reviews an honour guard, as incoming President Ferdinand Marcos J looks on, during the inauguration ceremony for Mr Marcos Jr, in Manila. AFP

The leaders salute during the inauguration ceremony. AFP

People attend the swearing-in ceremony. Bloomberg

A promotional video for Mr Marcos Jr is displayed on a screen at the Old Legislative Building, in Manila. Bloomberg

Supporters attend the inauguration. Mr Marcos Jr was sworn in as president amid protests over his namesake father's rule. Bloomberg

A supporter holds the national flag. Mr Marcos Jr received more than 31 million votes and incoming vice president Sara Duterte more than 32 million of the more than 55 million votes cast in the May 9 election. AP

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.