Active COVID cases in PNP jump by 60%

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos. Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Philippine National Police personnel infected with COVID-19 has increased for the ninth consecutive day.

According to figures released by the PNP on Wednesday, its active cases jumped to 262, up by 60 percent from 164 reported on Tuesday.

Among those now infected with COVID-19 is the PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, who confirmed that he tested positive on Tuesday.

The number of active cases among PNP personnel has consistently risen since the 14 cases recorded on Dec. 28.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the PNP has hit 42,443, with recoveries at 42,056, or 99 percent. Deaths have been recorded at 125 since the pandemic started in 2020. No COVID-19 fatality has been reported since Nov. 10.

The sudden increase in the number of infections occurred despite 99.46 percent of the more than 226,000 personnel of the PNP having been vaccinated, with more than 95 percent fully vaccinated.

—DEXTER CABALZA