Suspected COVID-19 case in military dies in Bulacan

A military officer, diagnosed with acute bronchitis and a suspected COVID-19 case, died on Wednesday, the Philippine Army said Thursday.

In a press statement, Army spokesman Colonel Ramon Zagala said the young lieutenant was a platoon leader of the Weapons Company of the Headquarters Service Battalion of the 48th Infantry Battalion in Bulacan.

Zagala said on April 7, the soldier was rushed to Norzagaray Municipal Hospital after experiencing difficulty in breathing. He was then diagnosed by the attending physician with acute bronchitis and was advised to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

On April 8, the soldier again experienced difficulty in breathing. He was immediately brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival at 3:45 p.m.

Zagala said the incident is being investigated, noting that the Philippine Army is still waiting for the result on what really caused the death of the soldier.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Felimon Santos Jr. told GMA News Online that it is not yet confirmed if the military officer was positive of COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, as his test result was not yet released.

Santos said the soldier was not assigned in control points for the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. He added that all precautionary measures were already undertaken following the death of the military officer.

"Contact tracing is being done to all his activities even without confirming that he is positive. Nasabihan na lahat. He was in self quarantine when he felt the cough," Santos said.

In a separate statement, the AFP expressed its condolences to the bereaved family of the soldier, who is a member of Philippine Military Academy "Alab Tala" Class of 2018.

"He is looked up to by his superiors, peers and subordinates for his dedication, commitment and idealism," the AFP said. --KBK, GMA News