51 helped secure SONA

THE Quezon City government has admitted that 82 police officers from Station 3 in Talipapa, Novaliches have tested positive for COVID-19.

QCPD Director Antonio Yarra confirmed that of the 82, 51 were among 118 Police Station 3 personnel who were deployed to secure President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The police officers were tested on Friday, July 23, as part of the city government’s program to conduct free routine testing of its frontliners who are often exposed and at high risk of acquiring the virus.

According to CESU Chief Dr. Rolando Cruz, a total of 161 personnel assigned to Station 3 were tested, among which 79 individuals tested negative.

The 82 who tested positive were designated at Police Station 3 (Talipapa), Police Community Precinct 1 (Unang Sigaw) and Police Community Precinct 2 (Bahay Toro).

“The first 48 positive cases were already admitted to several of our HOPE facilities last night, July 27. The other 34 will be admitted today,” Cruz said.

Cruz added that all positive cases were asymptomatic and have been fully vaccinated.

The CESU is currently investigating the communities near and around the precincts mentioned to determine if granular lockdowns are necessary given that the source and extent of infection has yet to be identified.

Police Station 3 Commander Lt. Col. Cristine Tabdi said the station will remain operational to receive reports or complaints in an outdoor receiving area, but will be restricted to the public. Visitations are currently prohibited. She vowed to investigate how this outbreak occurred in the station, which is under her direct supervision and jurisdiction.

The QCPD is also verifying if any of the 82 police officers were deployed to the State of the Nation Address last Monday (July 26) although as per health protocols, all persons awaiting results from swabbing must undergo mandatory quarantine and any violation of this protocol is subject to RA 11332.

“The city government is prepared to contain the spread of the virus. Our CESU has the capability to deal with this situation. We request the public not to panic, especially the communities in which the precincts where these police personnel were assigned. We are appealing to anyone who is experiencing symptoms to please call 122 and inform CESU immediately,” said Mayor Belmonte.

She also directed all 16 station commanders to ensure that minimum health protocols are stringently practiced by their personnel as the country is still in the middle of a pandemic and a surge due to the Delta variant is imminent as per health experts.