AFP: Navy official succumbs to COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — A senior Navy officer reportedly succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 at the V. Luna Medical Hospital in Quezon City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced yesterday.

AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo did not name the ranking officer who died while undergoing treatment on Aug. 6.

“We have yet to receive the official medical records that would reveal the cause of death other than the symptoms of COVID-19,” Arevalo told reporters.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the official was taken to the military hospital on Wednesday for COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and cough.

“The officer has comorbidities that complicated his condition, thus contributing to his death,” Bacordo said.

As of Aug. 8, total of 1,137 AFP personnel were with COVID-19, including 10 deaths. Of the number, 473 are active cases.

A total of 138 soldiers have recovered from the disease and waiting for their medical clearances, Arevalo said.

The AFP said 516 soldiers have reported back to duty.

Arevalo said AFP chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay has directed unit commanders and chiefs of offices to boost efforts to contain the spread of the virus among military personnel.

“We cannot, in these difficult times, fail the people and government agencies that rely on the AFP to maintain security as well as assist in the fight against the pandemic,” Arevalo said.