PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday confirmed he tested for the suspected Omicron variant of COVID-19 and is undergoing quarantine.

“This is to confirm that I, PGen. Dionardo B. Carlos tested positive for Covid 19 virus (suspected Omicron variant),” he said in a viber message to the press.

According to the top cop, he, his children and close-in-security were subjected to an RT-PCR test due to reports of fever and chills experienced by some of his personnel at the White House, the official residence of the PNP chief.

“Unfortunately, I too, tested positive including my duty driver and aide who were with me in the van Sunday morning. I experienced fever, chills and body sweats Sunday evening but come Monday, only lower back pain remains,” he said.

Gen. Carlos said as of 9:30 a.m. yesterday, his regular body signs since Monday include the following: Body temperature – 37.1 °C; Oximeter – 98; Blood pressure – 110/80 to 130/90; Body ache – lower back; Cough – none ;Lungs – clear/normal.

The PNP chief said he is taking Bioflu since getting the virus.

“I immediately informed SBG (Senator Bong Go) and SILG (DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año) of my status and was advised to rest. I will consider this time I am under quarantine that I’m just taking my much needed Christmas and New Year’s break,” he said

CARLOS URGES MEN TO GET BOOSTER JABS

Gen. Carlos also urged his men to get their booster jabs as the National Vaccination Program took to a higher level amid the spike in COVID-19 cases since last Christmas Day.

The top cop last year completed his Sinovac vaccines and was preparing for his booster shot already when he got the virus.

Yesterday, the PNP Health Service reported 107 new cases in the force which has recorded 125 COVID-19 deaths since March last year. At present, there are already a total of 42,370 police personnel who have contracted the virus although 42,081 of them have already fully recovered from the sickness and are now back in full duty status.

“We continue to educate our PNP personnel regarding the benefits of having their booster jabs. In the same way that we were able to convince them to get their anti-Covid vaccines, we will still follow such a strategy,” Gen. Carlos said.

According to the top cop, they understand the hesitation of a handful of personnel who do not wish to get vaccinated. “But the surge in the daily COVID-19 cases should serve as a lesson for everyone that there is a pressing need to protect ourselves from the severe effects of the virus,” he said.

The PNP chief said that only 0.68 percent of the total number of PNP personnel are yet to be vaccinated for one reason or another while a majority of 95.44 are are fully vaccinated while the rest or 3.88 percent are still awaiting for their final dose.

“Police are considered as front-liners in the government’s COVID response because their duty puts them in direct interaction with people while securing the peace and order in every community.

We don’t want to have sick law enforcers for it can affect their performance,” Gen. Carlos said.