HELPING FIGHT VS. COVID-19. Navy personnel help transport specimen samples for Covid-19 testing at the Siquijor Airport en route to Cebu. The Philippine Navy has also deployed its aircraft to support the government’s ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – Aside from its ships and personnel, the Philippine Navy (PN) continues to use its aircraft to support the government’s ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The PN's air component, the Naval Air Wing, has deployed aircraft to undertake necessary transports related to government’s campaign against the coronavirus pandemic now grappling almost the entire country,” said PN public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, in a statement Monday.
Roxas was referring to the deployment of the PN’s AgustaWestland helicopter, with tail number 431, which flew in medical personnel of the Department of Health Region 7 from Naval Forces Central in Cebu to Siquijor to pick-up specimen samples for Covid-19 for further testing.
“This will help create the Covid-19 profile of the region in order for the department to craft and implement policies and take necessary actions to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease and assist those who may need medical attention,” she added.
Aside from a helicopter, Roxas said the PN dispatched a Norman-Britten Island aircraft with tail number NV-310, for the aeromedical evacuation of a patient who suffered from a stroke.
This patient came from Jolo, Sulu and was transported to a Zamboanga City medical facility for treatment.
“After which, pilots and aircrew of NV-310 underwent sanitization and disinfection process to eliminate possible contamination from Covid-19 in compliance to the inter-island transportation protocol set forth by the national and local government,” Roxas added. (PNA)
