Test tube of sample, positive for new coronavirus. File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — Some 51 police officers from the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Talipapa Station who were part of the contingent that ensured peace and order during President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday were found positive for COVID-19.
This was revealed by QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra on Wednesday, explaining that the 51 police officers were among 118 from the city police’s Talipapa Station (Station 3) who were deployed to “different points” during the Sona.
“118 of Police Station 3 participated in our Sona deployment, and then 51 of them were tested positive,” QCPD Director Antonio Yarra said in a press briefing.
According to Yarra, police officers from the Talipapa Station underwent routine swab tests by the local government on July 23 and results of which came out on Tuesday.
“The result came out yesterday, and today, 51 were positive of the 118,” he added.
“Take note, the test was on July 23, so the Sona was on July 26, so the test was made 3 days before the Sona,” he continued.
Thus, he noted, “as of this time we cannot conclude yet na ‘yung deployment nila as the source of this transmission of COVID-19. So we are clarifying that.”
Asked if the 51 police officers could be among those assigned to secure rallyists during the Sona, Yarra said: “Hindi. Iba-ibang points of deployment. Kinalat natin ‘yan.”
Earlier, the Quezon City government confirmed that 82 police officers tested positive for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes serious respiratory illness COVID-19. It noted that the police officers are assigned at QCPD’s Talipapa Station, Police Community Precinct 1 (Unang Sigaw), and Police Community Precinct 2 (Bahay Toro).
The 51 police officers that Yarra said were found positive for the coronavirus were part of the 82.