THE Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion in Kananga, Leyte was placed under lockdown after 20 of its personnel tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Kananga Mayor Manuel Vicente "Matt" Torres said the soldiers were transferred to an isolation facility inside the camp in Barangay Aguiting.

The mayor said an Army soldier first experienced Covid-19 symptoms after he returned from a military operation in San Isidro, Leyte on October 10.

The soldier was admitted to Ormoc Doctors' Hospital the following day.

His swab result, along with his close contacts, tested positive.

The local government of Kananga and other Army units provided support to the camp.

Torres also appealed to residents to remain calm and observe health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus while contact tracing continued in the area. (SunStar Philippines)