THERE are already three confirmed cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the Philippine National Police, officials said Friday.

According to PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ronaldo E. Olay, the three tested positive for COVID-19 last July and had already finished their 14-day isolation when they were discovered anew to be positive for the Delta variant.

However, Administrative Support for Joint COVID-19 Task Force commander, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lieutenant Gen. Joselito M. Vera Cruz said that the results of the genome sequencing of the three were released only this month.

Thus, the three who are all assigned at the PNP Aviation Security Group were ordered to undergo another RT-PCR test.

One of the three tested anew for the virus and has been admitted in a government quarantine facility while the 2nd tested negative for the disease but was asked to go on home quarantine.

The result of the test conducted on the 3rd policeman is yet to be released. However, he is also under home quarantine already.

Lt. Gen. Vera Cruz said that persons who are considered ‘close contacts’ of the three have already tested negative for the virus.

PNP READY IN CASE OF ECQ EXTENSION

Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar assured their readiness should the national government decide to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.

“Our Metro Manila mayors and the IATF are in the better position to decide on whether or not the ECQ in NCR would be extended,” said the PNP chief.

“Kami naman sa PNP ay nagpapatupad lamang ng mga desisyong ito bilang kabahagi ng pamahalaan na ang mithiin lamang ay hindi na lumala ang pandemya sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng mga patakarang mismong ang mga health experts ang nagsasabing epektibo upang protektahan ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Gen. Eleazar underscored their preparedness to comply with any government directive after the Department of Health said the imposition of the strictest form of quarantine in the National Capital Region could be extended due to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections.

This matter will be discussed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), according to the DOH.

Gen. Eleazar reminded police commanders to also look after the welfare and safety of police personnel especially if the ECQ is extended.

“Kung tatagal man ang ECQ, gusto ko din paalalahanan ang ating mga police commanders na tiyaking ligtas at maayos ang kalagayan ng ating kapulisan. Dapat ay may rotation sa deployment at kumpleto ang kanilang protective gear gaya ng face masks at face shields,” he said.

“Kung i-e-extend ang ECQ, kailangan din ingatan ang kalusugan ng ating tropa upang mas epektibong makapagpatupad ng quarantine protocols at minimum public health safety standards at makapagsilbi sa ating mga kababayan,” the PNP chief explained.

Metro Manila has been placed under ECQ from August 6 to 20 to curb the spread of the more infectious COVID-19 Delta variant.