PNP COVID-19 cases breach 28K as 75th fatality recorded
COVID-19 cases in the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday breached the 28,000 mark even as the force recorded its 75th fatality: a 48-year old officer from Central Visayas who died on Wednesday, a week after manifesting symptoms of the virus.
The PNP Health Service (HS) headed by Brigadier General Luisito P. Magnaye said it recorded 156 new virus cases in the organization raising the total number of confirmed infections in the force to 28,118.
PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said he has ordered the PNP-HS to ensure that adequate medical attention will be given to the 1,728 policemen who are considered as ‘active cases’ as of Friday.
The PNP recorded 152 new recoveries on the same day bringing to 26,315 the number of police personnel who have fully recovered from the disease since March last year and are now back to full duty status.
“The 75th fatality of PNP is a 48-year-old Police Lieutenant assigned in Southern Leyte,” Eleazar said.
“Based on the report submitted to me by the Health Service, said officer manifested flu-like symptoms on June 23 while undergoing community immersion for the Investigation Officers Basic Course (IOBC) and was immediately brought to a nearby hospital. He was swabbed on June 27 which yielded positive result,” the top cop explained.
According to a report from the PNP-HS, the officer’s family planned to transfer him to another hospital either in Ormoc or in Tacloban City. Unfortunately, all hospitals contacted were at full capacity.
Around 11 p.m. last Wednesday, the lieutenant was pronounced dead by his attending physician due to COVID-19 severe pneumonia.
“Nakausap na po natin ang hepe ng naturang pulis at ipinagbilin na tulungan ang kaniyang pamilya sa anumang kanilang pangangailangan,” Eleazar said.
Those who were in close contact with the deceased officer were also subjected to medical observation as they were ordered to go on temporary isolation.
Those who will display symptoms of the virus will be subjected to an RT-PCR test and quarantine procedures.
Eleazar also on Friday announced that 18.04 percent of all PNP personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with 39,477 receiving the 1st dose and 13,485 fully vaccinated, mostly personnel on frontline duties.
