Fort Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City — Philippine Military Academy Chief of Public Affairs Office, Major Cherryl P. Tindog confirmed that some cadets and its military and civilian personnel test positive of COVID-19.
“For the first time since the pandemic started, the Academy conducted a mass RT-PCR testing to really detect presence of COVID19 as part of the expanded testing/detection effort of the LGU/IATF. Since March 2020, we only conducted rapid test to our cadets and personnel.” Tindog said.
Though the Cadet Corps of the AFP has been isolated as one bubble from the outside world by cancelling contact activities and employing online mode of instructions, still there is no fool proof system.
After the Command’s initiative for mass RTPCR testing with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard, a number of cadets, civilian human resource (manongs) and organic military personnel were identified to have contracted the virus. These cases were properly reported and coordinated with the health officials of the City of Baguio. The patients are presently being treated, the contacts were traced and isolated, and the further spread is contained, in coordination with concerned government agencies.
“We are comforted to note that all affected are asymptomatic and pose no greater danger to cadet’s health. There are a number of them who have also recovered. We assure the parents and their families that their health and needs are being attended to by Headquarters PMA.” Maj. Tindog added
Aside from the tests, as per the PMA’s safety and health protocol for COVID19 and that of DOH, the Academy has conducted immediate isolation of positive cases, lockdown, contact tracing, quarantine of general contacts, and disinfection of affected areas.
The mass RT-PCR testing will continue as part of the PMA’s effort to eradicate COVID19 within the Cadet Corps and the whole of the Academy.
The Academy remains to be on top of the situation and continues to take the advice and guidance from the General Headquarters to address this concern. (PMA Public Affairs Office)