THE Philippine National Police yesterday recorded its 126th COVID-19 fatality, the 1st since the year started.

The PNP Health Service also reported 323 new COVID-19 cases yesterday bringing to 46,291 the total number of police personnel who have contracted the virus since March last year although 42,550 of them are already fully recovered and are now back to full duty status.

PNP-HS director, Brigadier General Antonino R. Cirujales said they also recorded 503 new recoveries although they are monitoring 3,615 ‘active cases’ to date.

PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos however assured the public that the rise in the number of police personnel affected by the virus won’t hamper their peacekeeping duties especially the strict enforcement of the nationwide gun ban and the minimum health safety measures to prevent the further spread of the disease.

PNP Deputy Chief for Administration and the concurrent chair of the Administrative Support for COVID-19 Task Force, Lieutenant Gen. Joselito M. Vera Cruz said that as of Wednesday, a total of 217,034 police personnel or 96.33 percent of entire strength are already fully vaccinated while 7,173 or 3.18 percent are already waiting for their 2nd dose.

A total of 1,107 or 0.49 percent are yet to be inoculated, 512 of them with valid reasons and 595 without valid reason.

“Based on the data of our Health Service, the 287 rooms in Kiangan Emergency Treatment Facility and other facilities were fully occupied but we can still accommodate thru room sharing especially for families who got infected. Others will now be transferred to other isolation facilities within NCR, both PNP, and LGU-owned,” Lt. Gen. Vera Cruz earlier said.

The official added that the PNP is still waiting for the formal guidelines of the Department of Health on a shortened isolation period to decongest the facilities.

Gen. Carlos earlier ordered an expansion of their quarantine facilities inside Camp Crame and in the different Regional Police Offices to cater more personnel and their dependents infected with the virus..

The PNP already allows its personnel to go on home isolation following the health protocols with the condition that they must submit a regular report of their medical condition to the monitoring medical team.

Gen. Carlos has also ordered the PNP to continue monitoring their cases round-the-clock.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon