More cops die of COVID-19
TWO more policemen have died of COVID-19, bringing to 106 the total number of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel who have passed away after contracting the dreaded virus since March 2020, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said Thursday.
Citing a report from the PNP Health Service, the top cop said Patient 105 is a 54-year-old policeman from the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5)in Bicol region who tested positive for the virus last August 20.
The policeman was admitted to a local quarantine facility after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Last August 23, he was transferred to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing and a decrease in oxygen level. On August 26, he succumbed due to acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, PNP Patient 106 was a 25-year-old patrolman assigned at the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) in Ilocos-Pangasinan region. He was rushed to the hospital on August 24 for immediate medical attention due to difficulty in breathing.
He was pronounced dead on the same day by his attending physician. A post -mortem examination and swab test were conducted which yielded a positive result. The 106th PNP fatality had received the 1st dose of COVID- 19 vaccine.
“Ako po ay lubos na nakikiramay sa pamilya ng ating mga pulis na namatay at agad na nagutos sa kanilang mga hepe ng agatlrang tulong,” Gen. Eleazar said.
The PNP chief said that as of press time, a total of 101,000 personnel or 45 percent of their total strength nationwide have been fully vaccinated against the virus while more than 103,000 are waiting for the 2nd dose of the vaccine.
“We are hoping that by the end of this month all PNP personnel will be already vaccinated against the COVID-19, “ Gen. Eleazar said.
As of Thursday, , the PNP has a total of 101,302 or 45.46 percent fully vaccinated police personnel while 103,276 or 46.34 percent are just awaiting the 2nd dose to complete the inoculation.
“Sa ngayon mayroon na lang tayong 8.20 percent o 18,279 na pulis at non-uniformed personnel ang naghihintay na mabakunahan”, Gen. Eleazar said.
The PNP-HS headed by Brigadier Gen. Luisito P. Magnaye also recorded 219 new cases bringing the total of COVID-19 cases in the PNP since March last year to 34,972 with 2,022 of them considered as ‘active cases.’
The unit said it also recorded 219 new recoveries on Thursday raising the total recovered personnel who are now back to full duty status to 32,844.
