COVID-19 hits 10 PCOO employees, Andanar tests negative

MANILA, Philippines — Ten employees of the Presidential Communications Operations Office  have so far tested positive for SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), PCOO chief Martin Andanar revealed Saturday.

Andanar, in a statement, added that he tested negative for the virus.

“I regret to confirm that, as of 6:00 a.m. today, a total of 10 of our personnel in the main office tested positive. We are relaying our hopes and prayers for their speedy recovery from the virus,” Andanar said.

“We would like to assure the family of those who have been infected by COVID-19, as well as the general public, that the PCOO is doing all the health and medical protocols prescribed by the government, especially the intensified contact tracing and testing, as part of our due diligence to prevent further transmissions among those who have been in contact with them,” he added.

In a text message to reporters, PCOO Assistant  Secretary JV Arcena said that one employee succumbed to COVID-19  last April.

Andanar said that the suspension of physical work in the New Executive Building is extended “until further notice.”

Andanar also assured that the PCOO’s coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s upcoming fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) will “proceed as planned.”

“The Radio Television-Malacanang (RTVM) will continue on their coverage plan with the deployment of a different team that is not among those who have been in contact with its two COVID-19 positive personnel,” Andanar said.

“Precautionary measures, such as testing, will be conducted for the Sona assigned team in order to ensure the safety of President Duterte and the rest of the audience at the Batasang Pambansa,” he added.

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