In the face of surging coronavirus infections, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has remained on lockdown and formed "COVID warrior mechanism" to track down personnel infected with the illness and implement other measures to curb the spread of the illness.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has implemented the latest health precautions after expressing concern that the active coronavirus cases has increased to 17 at the main PCOO office as of July 26.
One death was reported last April.Other attached agencies of the PCOO have also so far six active cases with one death.
The latest figures have brought the total cases of coronavirus to 25, including two deaths, at the PCOO proper and attached agencies.
"For the last week ay talagang tumaas po iyong active cases sa PCOO (The active cases at PCOO have increased last week)," Andanar said over DZBB Sunday.
"Nag-activate po kami ng aming COVID warrior mechanism sa PCOO kung saan ay mayroon kaming in-assign para sa contact tracing, may ina-assign kami para lang sa maghanap ng ospital, lahat-lahat ng aspeto para ito ay mapigil iyong pagkalat ng COVID-19 (We activated COVID warrior mechanism at the PCOO where we will assign people for contact tracing, assign people to look for hospital, and address other aspects to prevent the spread of COVID-19)," he said.
Two coronavirus warriors are expected to designated every office of the PCOO.
As a precaution against the coronavirus transmission, the PCOO has extended the work suspension at the New Executive Building until further notice. Shuttle service has also been suspended. PCOO offices have been advised to adopt work from home arrangement for the meantime.
The work suspension at the PCOO was originally scheduled from July 21 to July 26.
"Naka-lockdown kami sa PCOO, naka-lockdown din kami sa RTVM (Radio Television Malacanang) (We are on lockdown at the PCOO. We also implemented a lockdown at the RTVM)," Andanar said amid ongoing coronavirus testing and quarantine of PCOO personnel as well as disinfection of their offices.
Andanar said RTVM technical personnel will be required to work on Monday for President Duterte's State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA). The assigned SONA teams will undergo coronavirus testing as a precaution.
Two RTVM employees have reportedly been infected with the illness.
The New Executive Building, which houses the PCOO, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, and the press briefing room, will also be on “semi-lockdown” on Monday to allow remote media coverage of the President’s SONA, according to Andanar.
A limited number of journalists will be allowed entry to the NEB only after getting clearance in the coroanvirus test.
After the SONA coverage, Andanar said all PCOO-led programs, including the briefings at the NEB, will be conducted remotely or virtually.
"Puro virtual presser na, virtual production lahat, kahit na dalawang linggo, kasi talagang nakakabahala, biglang tumaas (It will be virtual pressers, virtual production in the next two weeks because the increase in cases is really a cause of concern)," said Andanar, who has tested negative for the coronavirus),” he said.