49 CCPO recruits ‘positive’in rapid antibody tests

CEBU, Philippines — Forty-nine new recruits of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) are now isolated after they have tested positive for antibodies.

This means they have an early infection of any influenza-like virus or coronavirus but not necessarily the Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, CCPO director, said the samples taken from the recruits tested positive for antibodies Immunoglobulins G (IgG).

IgG positive means a person has already recovered from an influenza-like virus, but not necessarily COVID-19.

Of the 49, Ligan said, four are showing symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms. The four were swabbed yesterday.

He said the 45 recruits are already safe to report on Monday.

CCPO has hired 177 force multipliers, who make up the Task Force Kasaligan, to assist cops in implementing COVID protocols.

Ligan said the 128 were already deployed in stations 4 (Mabolo Police Station), 10 (Labangon Police Station), and 11 (Mambaling Police Station).

Aside from enforcing quarantine protocols, they will also be conducting rekorida patrol, information dissemination and also help in the fight against criminality.

Moreover, Ligan said a contact tracing team is also based in Barangay Apas, where several new COVID-19 cases were recently reported. — KQD (FREEMAN)