Facade of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. Image from pnp.gov.ph website
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Friday another COVID-19 fatality among its officers, bringing the agency’s death toll to 58 as of May 6.
The PNP in a statement identified the latest casualty as a 47-year-old police corporal assigned in Maguindanao, who was immuno-compromised due to diabetes.
According to the PNP Health Service report, the official was rushed to the hospital to get tested on May 3, after experiencing fever and cough. His RT-PCR test later revealed a positive COVID-19 result.
He was declared dead two days later–May 5–due to acute respiratory failure, said the PNP Health Service.
Outgoing PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas expressed his condolences to the family of the officer, and cautioned other immuno-compromised personnel to double their protection.
“To our police officers with a comorbidity, always check your health and double your protection, if you feel any symptoms, immediately seek the advice of a medical practitioner. To protect others, start taking care of yourself first,” Sinas said in a statement.
The PNP added 87 new cases on Thursday, bringing the agency’s COVID-19 cases to 20,936, including 1,540 active cases and 19,365 recoveries.
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