GAMU, Isabela: More than 1,000 soldiers here were subjected to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) mass swabbing at Camp Melchor dela Cruz on Saturday to ensure that Covid-19 does not infect the frontliners, according to Lt. Col. Aldren Pico of the Fifth Infantry Division (ID).
Conducting the mass swabbing along with personnel of the Fifth ID were representatives of the National Task Force-Aggressive Community Testing (NTF-Act) and the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
Pico said more than 1,000 troops, who have been among the frontliners in the fight against Covid-19, have undergone free, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing.
“We know how dangerous it is for our soldiers to be frontliners, and we cannot rule out the possibility that the virus will hit them. So, to ensure their safety, we conducted a free mass swab test. This will make the people more confident that they will be able to fulfill their role as one of the frontliners,” he added.
Apart from the soldiers, Pico said, testing also included civilian resource personnel of the Fifth ID.
“Our priority is the safety of public servants inside and outside our camp. Just a reminder to everyone who follows the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines: wear a [face] mask and face shield, keep [physical] distance and always wash your hands,” he added.
Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, Fifth ID commander, expressed his gratitude to the sponsors for recognizing the sacrifices of the soldiers in ensuring peace in their area of responsibility.
“I am deeply grateful for the recognition of the Fifth ID’s effort not only in the campaign against Covid-19, but also in the fight against insurgency and other humanitarian assistance activities. The command is committed to the government’s effort to mitigate the spread of Covid-19,” Mina said.
Pico said prior to the mass swab testing, 27 personnel of Camp Melchor dela Cruz Station Hospital underwent nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal collection training, led by the NTF-Act and the Department of Health at the Fifth ID gymnasium on Thursday.