Andanar undergoes swab test after PCOO employee contracted COVID-19

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said Friday that he underwent swab testing for COVID-19 after one of the agency’s employees contracted the coronavirus.

Andanar got himself tested on Thursday with the results expected to be released within 48 to 72 hours.

“Sana naman ay negative kasi marami kaming may contact sa kanya,” he said in a radio interview.

The PCOO suspended work this week to give way for proper disinfection of the New Executive Building (NEB) inside Malacañang Complex and contact tracing as well as swab testing among frontline personnel.

Aside from the PCOO main office, the NEB also houses the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, the press briefing room, the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

“Napakarami na pong ni-lockdown natin under the Presidential Communications Operations Office kaya nga I cannot overstate the importance na kailangan masunod talaga iyong health protocol. Hindi po biro,” Andanar said.

Andanar said the PCOO and its attached agencies have at least eight active cases of COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News