MANILA (UPDATE)- Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez said Wednesday he will undergo a 14-day self-quarantine after interacting with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a text message to reporters, Dominguez said he is undergoing the self-quarantine even if he is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

He also encouraged reporters to do the same.

“I was told that a fellow I met with last Thursday and Friday last week has tested positive for COVID-19 today. I have no symptoms but am self-isolating until I get tested. You may wish to follow suit,” Dominguez said.

The official did not identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said he also plans to self-quarantine since he was in a meeting with Dominguez last Monday.

"I will follow protocol," he told ABS-CBN News in a text message.

The Senate was also placed under lockdown after a resource person who recently attended a hearing tested positive for COVID-19.

“Lockdown na muna,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters in a text message.

Earlier in the day, DOH confirmed 16 new cases of the disease, one of whom passed away in a Manila hospital.

She is the first Filipino to die of the virus.

• DOH confirms Filipina's death in Manila due to COVID-19

The Philippines so far has 49 confirmed COVID-19 cases.