13 PCOO workers positive for COVID-19; SONA coverage not affected

FILE PHOTO– PCOO Sec Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar. PDI/JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 13 employees of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) have contracted the coronavirus disease with three additional cases, PCOO chief Martin Andanar said Saturday.

“As of 2:50PM Saturday, there are already a total of 13 employees of PCOO main office whose results came out positive. Work at the New Executive Building (NEB) is suspended until further notice,” Andanar said in a statement.

Andanar also assured the public that the planned coverage of PCOO and Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) for the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address will not be affected as they will deploy a different team to handle the media coverage.

“With regard to the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 27, 2020, the coverage plan of RTVM will continue with the deployment of a different team that is not among those who have been in contact with the infected personnel,” Andanar said.

Andanar said their coverage plan is to hold a “watch party” via Zoom meeting for Cabinet members who cannot physically attend the SONA.

Health protocols such as contact tracing were already intensified to prevent further contamination of COVID-19 among its personnel, Andanar said.

Andanar also said online press conferences and other information dissemination programs of PCOO will not be suspended.

CFC

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