64 cops recovered from COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 64 cops have recovered and were released from the recovery center early morning yesterday, bringing the total recovery among PRO-7 personnel to 137 of the 301 who tested positive for COVID-19.

PRO-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro said those who have recovered will now be able to return to work.

Ferro also asked the recovered cops to stand as contact tracers once they will be back in the service, since these cops have the background of the virus and their recovery journey could back them up in the contact tracing.

“Akong hangyuon ang akong mga kauban diha nga 64-strong (personnel) nga mag-volunteer mo as part of the contact tracer, because you have all the ingredients to be a good contact tracer.  They could explain what it is to be a COVID positive.  You know the issues and concern and you could convince them to tell us everything so that we could prevent further spread of the disease,” said Ferro.

Aside from this, Ferro has also asked them to voluntarily donate their blood plasma as part of their “Makatao, Malasakit Plasma Donors Program.” This program of the PRO-7 aims to help COVID positive patients by donating blood plasma.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, said they are just waiting for the certification from the Regional Health Service-7, so that those who have recently recovered can go back to work.

“They will be returning to work a week after they will be spending time (with) their family and, after that, they will report to duty,” said Ligan.

In line with this, the lockdown at the Mabolo Police Station will be lifted within the week.

Among the PNP personnel that have survived the virus was Police Lieutenant Colonel Allan Rosario, chief of the Operation Branch of CCPO, who admitted he got frightened at first upon knowing that he tested positive for the virus.

He said that his stay in the isolation area with the others helped him stay optimistic because of their conversations.

“Ang pag sunod lang naman kasi nandyan na yung guidelines kung anong dapat gawin nila, overwhelmed tayo at napakasaya dahil naka-recover tayo,” Rosario said, calling the public to follow the guidelines. GAN (FREEMAN)