MANILA – At least 97 employees of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its attached agencies have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as of Sunday.
Data from the PCOO showed that of the 97 infections, 76 were logged as “active” cases while 18 have recovered and three have died from Covid-19.
The National Printing Office still tops the tally with 32 active cases, followed by PCOO proper with 31, including seven recoveries and one death.
APO Production Unit has nine active cases, one recovery, and one death; Radio-TV Malacañang (RTVM) has five active cases, including four new infections, and three recoveries; PTV-4 has seven cases with one recovery and one death; and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has five (recovered) cases.
The News and Information Bureau (NIB) has recorded its first two cases and the Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS) has one recovered Covid-19 patient.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said some of the employees got infected “while performing their duties to the public”.
Andanar said the PCOO continues to adopt a work-from-home arrangement to fulfill its obligations and mandate to the Filipino people.
He assured that his agency will conduct another batch of testing and contact tracing of the primary and secondary contacts of those newly infected among their staff.
The PCOO chief also vowed to give assistance and support to the family of infected employees.
The New Executive Building in Malacañan Palace, which houses PCOO, is currently on lockdown. RTVM and the NPO in Quezon City also remain closed.
Despite being temporarily closed, Andanar said “essential” works will continue.
“The delivery of essential and timely information to the Filipino public will continue despite the unfortunate circumstance we are facing,” he said.
Metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan are currently under the second most stringent quarantine classification, modified enhanced community quarantine, until Aug. 18 to give medical front-liners a timeout and to prevent the healthcare system from collapsing. (PNA)
