MANILA, Philippines — Two crew members of the newly-commissioned BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) have recently tested positive for coronavirus, the Philippine Navy said Saturday (July 18).
The two sailors have been sent into a quarantine facility ashore, while the rest of the members continued their preparations for the ship’s first deployment— the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 in Hawaii. The ship is scheduled to leave on July 29.
Coronavirus tests among the crew were conducted following the ship’s commissioning ceremony in Subic Bay on July 10, after one of the Navy officers who attended was confirmed positive of the virus.
Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo and other key officers present at the event have tested negative from the virus.
Meanwhile, other personnel who will join the RIMPAC contingent aside from the crew of BRP Jose Rizal will also undergo swab tests on Sunday (July 19) at the Philippine Arena, the Navy said.