19 cops test positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — There are now nineteen cops who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

Among the latest cases of COVID-19 in the police force were a 31-year-old female police officer from Laguna province; a 41-year-old police personnel from Cavite province; and a 45-year-old female police officer from Batangas province.

Two PNP personnel succumbed to the disease last week, while two others were able to recover.

As of Monday, the PNP said its health service has recorded a total of 280 PNP personnel who are persons under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 infection, which included 63 police commissioned officers, 204 non-commissioned officers, and 13 non-uniformed personnel.

Further, a total of 1,334 PNP personnel are currently persons under monitoring (PUMs), of which 300 are police commissioned officers, 978 police non-commissioned officers, and 54 are non-uniformed personnel.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa assured on Monday that the PNP Health Service is closely monitoring the remaining 15 cops who are still battling the COVID-19.

On its first week of operation as quarantine area, the PNP National Headquaraters COVID-19 Patient Care Center or the Kiangan Billeting Center has already admitted 39 PNP personnel who are PUIs and undergoing self-quarantine including 11 police commissioned officers, 18 police non-commissioned officers, four non-uniformed personnel, and six civilians.

To date, there are 3,660 confirmed cases in the country, with 163 deaths and 73 recoveries.

EDV