6 Zambales naval training station personnel contract COVID-19

The Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio town, Zambales province has been hit again by COVID-19. Six cases were reported there as of Thursday, July 15. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – Six Navy personnel inside the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) here have contracted COVID-19, health officials said on Thursday (July 15).

Dr. Noel Bueno, provincial health director, told the Inquirer that contract tracing was immediately done inside the NETDC after the infection first surfaced on July 9.

At least 40 personnel who were in close contact with the first case were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR tests and five of them yielded positive results.

The infected Navy personnel were immediately transferred to the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City and to the  Manila Times College Quarantine Facility inside the Subic Bay Freeport, said Bueno.

The NETDC was placed on lockdown twice this year following outbreaks that hit students and personnel. As of now, the affected offices were placed on temporary lockdown after contact tracing and disinfection.

Zambales now has a total of 3,766 reported COVID-19 cases, 350 of which remain active, 3,320 were recoveries and 95 were deaths.

/MUF