PNP: 16 more cops contract COVID-19; 250 total cases

MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen more police officers have tested positive for SARS-CoV2, which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases within the Philippine National Police (PNP) to 250.

“As of 6:00PM of May 18, 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the PNP organization rises to 250 with four (4) deaths and 69 recoveries,” read the statement from PNP’s official Facebook page on Monday.

https://www.facebook.com/pnp.pio/photos/a.656275274413732/3898018580239369/?type=3&theater&_rdc=1&_rdr

https://www.facebook.com/pnp.pio/photos/a.656275274413732/3893177867390107/?type=3&theater&_rdc=1&_rdr

Meanwhile, the PNP Health Service (PNP-HS) also recorded 754 probable cases.  COVID-19 test results are pending.

It also documented 538 suspected cases.

Previously, PNP HS said it expects COVID-19 cases in the police force to surge as more police frontliners are tested.

“Police health authorities have ramped-up mass testing among police frontliners, expecting the number of confirmed cases to rise in the next few days due to pending results of some confirmatory tests,” a PNP-HS statement said.

The PNP has three quarantine facilities in its national headquarters in Quezon City – Kiangan Billeting Center, Oval Transformation Quarantine Facility and Taekwondo quarters.

GSG