14 more Metro Manila cops test positive for COVID-19; infected officers now at 47

MANILA, Philippines — Fourteen more personnel of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have tested positive for the new coronavirus disease, bringing the number of COVID-19 cases in the Metro Manila police to 47.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, NCRPO director, said Friday that the swab tests on the personnel were conducted on April 25 and the results were released on Thursday.

Of the 320 police frontliners who were tested, four commissioned officers and 10 non-commissioned officers tested positive for the virus, according to Sinas.

“This is the very reason why we are pursuing the testing for all our frontliners. We understand that the risk of contamination is high because of the nature of our work. Nevertheless, we assure the public and their families that we are exerting efforts to continuously provide necessary protection for them on a regular basis,” he said in a statement.

The police official said that the 14 police officers are now isolated and are being monitored at the Hinirang Hall of the Quezon City Police District. He also ordered all NCRPO personnel who have had direct contact with the infected officers to also go on quarantine, as well as be placed under monitoring by the unit’s Regional and District Health Service.

Contact tracing is also now being done by the NCRPO, said Sinas.

Sinas said the NCRPO will continue to conduct “target group testing” on all NCRPO personnel.

“As frontliners, we will not conceal our medical condition and will never prejudice the health and safety of others by ensuring that we are healthy and fit,” he also said.

The country has recorded a total of 10,343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday afternoon. Of these cases, 685 have died and 1,618 have recovered from the illness.

/MUF