January 9, 2022 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-four personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) involved in the transport of relief goods to victims of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao have tested positive for COVID-19.
PCG spokesman Armand Balilo said theCoast Guard personnel were not exposed to residents of typhoon-hit areas.
“Hindi bumaba ng barko yung mga crewmembers na nag-positive sa COVID-19. Nag RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test lahat ng crewmembers na may contact sa kanila, pero nag-negative sa test ang majority ng close contact,” Balilo said in a Viber message to reporters yesterday.
The PCG said the infected PCG personnel were brought to a quarantine facility in Taguig City.
Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Task Force Kalinga commander, said they requested the Philippine Ports Authority to assist the PCG in its cargo operations to ensure that the distribution of relief goods will not be disrupted.
The PCG said it has transported 1,218.4 tons of relief goods to the affected areas.
