COVID-19 cases in AFP now at 1,137

Over a thousand personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.

The AFP has logged a total of 1,137 COVID-19 infections as of August 8, according to Arevalo.

Of this number, 138 have recovered and are awaiting their medical clearance while 516 have already been cleared and have reported back to duty.

Meanwhile, ten personnel have succumbed to the respiratory illness.

Arevalo said a senior AFP officer was reported to have died at the V. Luna Medical Hospital on August 6.

“We have yet to receive official medical reports that would reveal the cause of death other than the erstwhile symptoms suggest COVID-19,” he said.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo added that the senior officer also had comorbidities.

“It’s just unfortunate that this officer was able to contract COVID-19 and he has comorbidities, that complicated the situation,” he said.

A total of 473 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

Arevalo said AFP chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay was monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

“He has directed unit commanders and chiefs of offices to vigorously pursue efforts to address and contain the incidence of COVID-19 infection so as not to adversely affect AFP operations,” the spokesman said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News