PNP virus death toll hits 47

MANILA, Philippines — A 40-year-old policeman died of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing to 47 the total number of deaths in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the police officer died in a hospital in Marikina.

According to Sinas, the policeman tested positive for COVID-19 on April 16 after manifesting flu-like symptoms.

The police officer did not report his condition to his unit and refused to go to a quarantine facility, Sinas said.

The fatality is among the 288 police personnel who contracted the disease as of yesterday.

The policeman bought antibiotic drug Azithromycin as advised by a private physician. He also had his own oxygen tank at home. He continued self-medicating until his condition worsened.