Manila cop tests positive for coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station has contracted the coronavirus disease, the city police district’s health department said Tuesday.

A medical officer of MPD Health Service confirmed this in a phone interview with reporters but declined to give information about the policeman’s identity and designation.

He said the infected police officer was admitted to the hospital on March 17 after experiencing symptoms and tested positive for the infectious disease on Monday night.

“Actually, nag-swab test siya sa hospital nung March 17. Nagpunta siya dun nag-pa-check up siya ‘dun tapos binigyan ng gamot,” the medical officer said.

(Actually, he had his swab test in the hospital last March 17. He went there to have a check-up where he received medication.)

“Then yung result lumabas kagabi. Nalaman lang namin kaninang umaga tapos tinawagan namin siya na nagpositive,” he added.

(Then the policeman’s results came in last night. We found out earlier this morning, we also called him that he tested positive.)

In a separate phone interview, MPD public information officer Chief Insp. Carlo Magno Manuel said the policeman is a patrolman who is assigned at the Malate police station.

Manuel added that the Philippine health department advised the policeman to undertake home quarantine because his symptoms were not severe.

“Inaadvise sa bahay lang pero kapag severe na symptoms, kinocoordinate sa ospital. Makati yung lalamunan yun yung dinadaing niya,” Manuel said.

(He was advised to undertake home quarantine but if his symptoms became severe, he will coordinate with the hospital. He was complaining that he has a sore throat.)

The MPD Health Service immediately coordinated with the Department of Health and Manila local government for the implementation of the health protocol.

The Health Service also started contact tracing of those who were exposed to the law enforcer who was diagnosed with COVID-19.