COVID-infected cops climb to 105

MANILA, Philippines — Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman for the PNP, said the new patients are three men and four women aged 27 to 48.

Banac said four are assigned in Calabarzon while the rest are from Quezon City, Iloilo and Mountain Province.

The latest COVID-19 cases brought to 105 the number of PNP personnel infected with the respiratory illness.

Three police officers have died from the disease and 17 have completely recovered. Eighty-five PNP personnel are being monitored.

“Kahit malalakas ang pulis natin ay hindi rin exempted sa COVID-19,” Banac said in a radio interview.

He said a majority of the police officers are exhibiting mild symptoms and only three are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.

The others are completing their 14-day self-quarantine either in isolation facilities or at home, according to Banac.

He said the PNP is also keeping tabs on 744 police officers who have shown COVID-19 symptoms and had interaction with patients who tested positive for the virus.

A total of 1,013 PNP members went on quarantine.

Mass testing

As Mandaluyong ramped up its mass testing, the city government reported that only 55 out of 510 residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

City hall officials said 455 individuals have been cleared after they tested negative for the virus.

“Those who tested positive will undergo strict monitoring by the local health department while waiting for the results of their second PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests,” the city public information office said.

Mandaluyong registered 410 cases of COVID-19 with 36 deaths and 73 recoveries.

Labor Day  protesters freed

Eighteen people who were arrested in Barangay Central, Quezon City for supposedly holding a protest during relief operations on May 1 were released from detention yesterday.

The city prosecutor’s office ordered the release of the suspects for further investigation.

The resolution, signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Fabinda delos Santos, directed the Quezon City Police District to release the respondents.

Police alleged that the respondents, including three students from the University of the Philippines, held a rally that led to their arrest. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Romina Cabrera