A 40-YEAR-OLD police non-commissioned officer on Thursday was recorded as the 82nd COVID-19 fatality in the Philippine National Police.

The victim, a Police Staff Sergeant assigned at PNP Headquarters Support Service passed away on Tuesday, 16 days after he tested positive for the virus and underwent treatment.

He was the 2nd police personnel to die after contracting the virus, the 1st being an intelligence officer from the Quezon Police Provincial Office who died last Monday. The 81stfatality was also 40-years old.

Both are yet to be vaccinated too.

As of Thursday, the PNP Health Service said it has recorded a total of 30,156 COVID-19 cases in the force since March last year. However, 29,117 of them have already fully recovered from the disease and are now back to full duty status.

The PNP-HS also recovered 82 new recoveries on Thursday. However, it is also monitoring a total of 957 ‘active cases’ as of press time

PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar earlier said they have noted a decreasing trend of virus infection among its personnel vis-à-vis an increase in the number of those who have fully recovered from the disease

“Nakikita na natin ang epekto ng pagbabakuna sa ating sarili kontra sa Covid-19. Sa mga nakalipas na araw, pababa ng pababa ang mga pulis na nagkakaroon ng naturang virus dahil karamihan sa atin ay protektado na ng bakuna,” the PNP chief said.

The PNP has initiated the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 79,419 PNP personnel while more than 23,000 are now fully vaccinated, Gen. Eleazar said.

At the same time, he urged all PNP personnel to avail of COVID-19 vaccines rolled-out by the PNP and some local government units.

In a recent memorandum, PNP The Chief Directorial Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos directed all PNP unit commanders and heads of offices to “encourage all personnel to take/avail of vaccines that are being rolled-out by the PNP Health Service and Local Government Units”.

The same memorandum also reminded all personnel to observe the Minimum Public Health Standard protocols at all times while on duty and at home; boost immune system by taking vitamins and perform regular exercise; and not to self-medicate and immediate seek medical attention upon experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The memorandum also reiterated earlier guidance to strictly observe the proper use of face mask, face shield, disinfectants; and to maintain physical distancing at all times.