A senior military official and his wife both tested positive for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in what could be considered as the first confirmed cases of the disease in the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) barred Tuesday.
No less than General Felimon Santos, AFP Chief of Staff, confirmed that the official and his wife were being treated at the military’s premier hospital at V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City.
“Said military officer has a history of foreign travel and was admitted to the medical facility and his spouse as persons under investigation (PUIs) last March 15,” Santos said.
A military source privy to the identity and condition of the official confirmed that the disease-stricken soldier is a one-star general.
The source said the official and his wife have already “survived the crucial part” and both are now recovering.
“Ang peak nalampasan na nila. They are already in the recovery phase,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Santos said the military official is asymptomatic although he and his wife were still being observed at the hospital.
“They will continue medical treatment until fully recovered and strictly following DoH [Department of Health]-imposed protocol for COVID-19 patients,” Santos said.
The source said the military official made contact with Senator Miguel Zubiri last March 11 during the confirmation of some military officials and reservists by the Commission on Appointment.
Zubiri, it can be recalled, earlier announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
The source said the results of the COVID-19 tests of the military official and his wife were released on Monday, March 23.
Meanwhile, Santos said the AFP has put up measures and specific guidelines to protect all of its personnel, particularly those stationed in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“Since the community quarantine of Metro Manila started on March 15, only two gates were opened for ingress and egress to better monitor the movement of people in the Camp,” Santos said. (Martin Sadongdong)
