More cops infected with COVID

MANILA, Philippines – A majority of the police officers who contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 were deployed at quarantine control points nationwide, the Philippine National Police announced yesterday as the number of PNP personnel infected with COVID-19 climbed to 1,089.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said while the figures are high, the police force would never run out of personnel.

“Losing, let’s say 1,000 policemen because they are infected and under quarantine, the PNP still has 209,000 personnel. It’s practically a small portion. So we will not run out of policemen,” Gamboa told reporters.

“The usual protocol is that if you test positive, you will observe 14-day quarantine and undergo another test. When you are cleared, you will be directed to rest for seven to 10 more days before you go back to duty,” he added.

The PNP recorded 26 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Of the number, 14 were from the National Capital Region Police Office, seven from Central Visayas and one each from Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, Cordillera, PNP Financial Service and Special Action Force.

According to the PNP, total recoveries climbed to 500 after 30 police officers recovered from the disease. The number of deaths stood at nine.

The PNP Health Service said it is monitoring at least 2,092 police officers who have shown symptoms of the virus or had interacted with COVID-19 patients.