MANILA, Philippines — Another police officer has died of COVID, bringing the death toll in the Philippine National Police to 124, the PNP reported yesterday.
The PNP Health Service said the fatality was a 35-year-old officer assigned in Western Mindanao.
The officer died on Oct. 17 due to respiratory failure brought by COVID infection.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the death was confirmed and reported only over the weekend.
Records showed the patient experienced mild COVID symptoms on Oct. 3. The PNP said the officer’s superior asked him to seek medical help, but his family reportedly refused.
The officer later agreed to undergo COVID test, which yielded a positive result.
“We sincerely condole with the family and we continue to remind everyone to immediately seek medical help once you experience symptoms of COVID. This is not only for your own safety, but also for your family,” Eleazar said in a statement.
As of yesterday, the PNP had 300 cases among its ranks nationwide.