PAF airlifts Covid-19 lab specimens, protective gears

AIRLIFTING LAB SPECIMENS, PPEs. Air Force personnel unload sealed laboratory specimens for coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment from an NC-212i transport aircraft at the Villamor Air Base on Wednesday (March 18, 2020). The aircraft also transported 11 boxes of personal protection equipment to the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City which will be brought to the Department of Health-Lanao. (Photo courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday has airlifted sealed laboratory specimens for coronavirus (Covid-19) testing and boxes of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in support of ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

Maj. Aristides Galang, the PAF spokesperson, said an NC-212i transport aircraft flew to Tacloban, Cagayan De Oro, Mactan and Iloilo to pick 78 sealed laboratory specimens which will be brought to a testing center in Manila for initial diagnostic testing for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, 11 boxes of PPEs for the Department of Health (DOH)-Lanao were also transported from Villamor Air Base, Pasay City to Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.

Galang said these initiatives are part of the efforts of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, and in coordination with the DOH.