PMA confirms COVID-19 cases, but all ”asymptomatic”

January 4, 2021

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus disease among "cadets and its military and civilian personnel" but these were asymptomatic.

Major Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, said COVID-19 cases were confirmed following mass reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) testing with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

"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," said Tindog.

The PMA conducted mass testing for the first time since the pandemic started as part of the expanded testing/detection effort of the LGU/IATF (local government unit/Inter-Agency Task Force).

'' Since March 2020, we only conducted rapid test to our cadets and personnel," she 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.  One way or another a leak to the bubble can occur from day to day activities of the whole community. Thus, the need for mass testing," Tindog said.

"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," he added.

Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said others who tested positive for COVFD -19 include "food handlers or those who serve the needs of the cadets".

Arevalo said National Policy against COVID-19 chief implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez promised to send 2,000 units of RTPCR to PMA as initial assistance.

He said those who were tested positive for COVID -19 were placed under the quarantine facility offered by the local government of Baguio City.

Tindog said information about the COVID-19 infection inside the academy "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," she said. Robina Asido/DMS