"COVID is so real."

This is what former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach said as she revealed that she had been infected by COVID-19, and is now recovering.

In her post on Instagram, the beauty queen-turned-actress shared her experience after she tested positive for the deadly virus while on vacation in the United Kingdom.

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A post shared by Pia Wurtzbach (@piawurtzbach)

"I caught COVID here in the UK even though I’ve been fully vaccinated & received my booster shot already. Kumpleto din ako ng flu & pneumonia vaccines. I eat healthy & I’m active, but I still got it. I got all the symptoms too. Fever, sore throat, body pain, runny rose, cough, & I also lost my sense of smell & taste. It’s not like a regular cold or flu that goes away after a few days. I’ve never been sick for this long, which lasted more than a week," she said.

According to Pia, she has since tested negative for COVID-19 and is now just one day away from completing isolation with her sister, Sarah Wurtzbach, who also caught the virus.

"The worst is through. I am recovering well. I am beyond grateful my parents are safe. 'Di sila nahawa sa’kin," she said.

READ: Pia Wurtzbach returns to the UK to spend Christmas with her family

In her post, the beauty queen also urged her followers to not let their guard down and continue to observe health and safety protocols as she emphasized how serious COVID-19 is.

"Guys, COVID is so real. My timeline shows that many have/had it too, both in the Philippines & abroad. And the numbers are going up exponentially. Please take this seriously 'cos anyone can get it no matter how healthy you are. Being fully vaccinated doesn’t stop you from getting the virus but it helps you overcome it. Please follow health & safety protocols. I think it’s the moment you put your guard down, doon ka mahahawa. You think you’re safe & usually yung makakahalubilo mo walang symptoms. Akala mo all is well. Pero, nahawa ka na pala at may possibility na maipasa mo sa iba nang di mo alam," she said.

She went on to lament those who break mandatory quarantine protocols and still go outside despite knowing they tested positive for COVID-19.

"It seems easy for anyone to just break protocols & still go out even when they know they tested positive. Feeling nila, di sila mahuhuli or wala namang nagbabantay. I’ve personally seen other people do this. Meron pa diyan, may symptoms na & have the means to get tested pero ayaw nilang maconfirm na may COVID sila, tas lalabas pa rin. Naku, konsensiya niyo nalang yan. Konting personal accountability, please," she said.

"Ang dami nang nagkasakit. I don‘t wanna sound preachy but let’s not be selfish & go breaking protocols, hoarding supplies, refusing to get tested & vaccinated," she added.

To end her post, Pia encouraged everyone to look after one another by getting vaccinated, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, and wearing face masks properly.

In the Philippines, there are currently 56,561 active cases of COVID-19, 17,220 of which were recorded just last Thursday, January 6, according to data from the Department of Health.