THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday recorded its 81st COVID-19 fatality: 40-year old intelligence officer from the Quezon Police Provincial Office.

The police non-commissioned officer died on Monday at the Alabat Island District

Hospital where he is undergoing treatment after testing positive for the virus last Saturday.

The victim was still to be vaccinated when he passed away.

He became the 81st member of the PNP to succumb to death after being afflicted by the killer virus since March last year.

The PNP Health Service also reported 68 new cases on Wednesday bringing to 30,010 the total number of PNP personnel who have contracted the virus since last year. PNP medical staff are also monitoring a total of 917 2‘active cases’ as of press time.

However, 275 new recoveries were recorded by the PNP-HS on the same day bringing to a total of 29,012 the number of police personnel who have already fully recovered from the disease and are now back to full duty status.

PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar earlier said they have noted a decreasing trend of virus infection among its personnel vis-à-vis an increase in the number of those who have fully recovered from the disease.

“Nakikita na natin ang epekto ng pagbabakuna sa ating sarili kontra sa COVID-19. Sa mga nakalipas na araw, pababa ng pababa ang mga pulis na nagkakaroon ng naturang virus dahil karamihan sa atin ay protektado na ng bakuna,” the PNP chief said.

The PNP has initiated the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 79,419 PNP personnel while more than 23,000 are now fully vaccinated, Gen. Eleazar said.

At the same time, he urged all PNP personnel to avail of COVID-19 vaccines rolled-out by the PNP and some local government units.

In a recent memorandum, PNP The Chief Directorial Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos directed all PNP unit commanders and heads of offices to “encourage all personnel to take/avail of vaccines that are being rolled-out by the PNP Health Service and Local Government Units”.

The same memorandum also reminded all personnel to observe the Minimum Public Health Standard protocols at all times while on duty and at home; boost immune system by taking vitamins and perform regular exercise; and not to self-medicate and immediate seek medical attention upon experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The memorandum also reiterated earlier guidance to strictly observe the proper use of face mask, face shield, disinfectants; and to maintain physical distancing at all times.