PH coach to be sent home from Tokyo after positive COVID-19 test

A member of the Philippine Olympic coaching staff is to be sent home after yielding positive results for COVID-19 tests.

Chef de mission to Tokyo Olympics Mariano "Nonong" Araneta confirmed the news to GMA News Online, saying that the said coach is now in isolation in order to prevent the rest of the delegation from contracting the virus.

"A series of positive saliva test and confirmatory negative PCR tests manifested in one of our coaches," Araneta said in a message to GMA News Online on Thursday.

"We found these instances to be irregular and decided to implement extreme and drastic measures to protect the team by isolation and confinement protocols and removing him from further contact with the rest of the team."

Araneta added that the Tokyo Olympic Games Organising Committee (TOGOC) is set to do further investigation and recommendation to identify those in close contact with the patient.

"The latest positive PCR test proved damaging and our team doctor is currently assisting him on his protocol confinement. Close contacts were already advised and instructed to isolate themselves," Araneta said.

"TOCOG will do further investigation and recommendation on persons considered as close contacts. We will wait for their advice."

The Games will officially open on Friday, July 23, with 19 Filipinos set to see action in the quadrennial conclave.

—JMB, GMA News