By Azer Parrocha | Philippine News Agency
Fifteen personnel of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) have tested positive for COVID-19, PSG commander Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said on Thursday (Jan. 6).
Cabangbang said they found out they were infected after undergoing mandatory seven-day quarantine and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests upon returning from their holiday break.
“All personnel were fully vaccinated and are asymptomatic. This Command, through PSG Task Force COVID-19, is attending to these personnel in accordance with IATF/DOH [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases/Department of Health] protocols,” he said in a press statement.
He also assured that the personnel “are not in any way” detailed to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“PSG is strictly adhering to the highest standards of performing its primary mandate, that is, to protect the Commander-in-Chief, our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he added.
Cabangbang also assured that the rest of the PSG personnel remain fit and able to protect the President.
On Dec. 30, Malacañang announced that visitors who wish to meet with the President have to present a negative RT-PCR test result before they are allowed inside the Palace.
Nograles said visitors and guests must undergo antigen testing inside the Palace as part of their second screening.
“This forms part of the Palace health and safety protocol,” he said.
The PSG earlier said that visitors who failed to show a negative RT-PCR test or have acquired or are exposed to COVID-19 may instead opt to hold virtual meetings with the President.
On Wednesday (Jan. 5), the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 10,775 new COVID-19 cases– the highest single-day tally since Oct. 10, 2021.
The positivity rate was at 31.7% out of 44,643 tests, which is way above the five% threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This figure brings the country’s total caseload to 2,871,745.
Fifty-eight more deaths brought the death toll due to COVID-19 up to 51,662 while 605 more people getting better increased recoveries to 2,780,109. (PNA) -ag
