MANILA, Philippines — An intelligence officer of the Manila Police District (MPD) suspected to have been infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died on Saturday night, an official said yesterday.
The police officer, assigned with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), died of respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia at the Adventist Medical Center Manila after being diagnosed with tonsil infection.
The result of his COVID-19 test is expected to be released today, according to the MPD.
As a precautionary measure, MPD director Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba ordered all members of the CIDG to undergo self-quarantine.
“All CIDG personnel should restrict their movement at their office pending result of the COVID-19 test on the police officer,” read the memorandum issued by the MPD on Sunday.
A CIDG official, who requested anonymity, said all personnel were required to stay in their respective offices “so that we can be immediately accounted for when the need arises.”
The police official said the CIDG officers were not tapped to man quarantine checkpoints in the city.
Authorities said the policeman had diabetes and began experiencing severe cough three months ago but did not seek medical attention.
He sought treatment in a hospital in Pasay City on March 5 after he complained of sore throat and inflamed tonsils.
On March 6, he went home to his family in General Trias, Cavite where he was rushed to the Divine Grace Hospital for fever and viral infection.
If the test turns out positive for coronavirus, the CIDG personnel would remain on quarantine at the MPD Health Service.
CIDG officers at Camp Crame in Quezon City were also ordered to confine themselves in their office as a preventive measure.