2 more cops die of virus

MANILA, Philippines — Two more police officers, including a one-star general who was set to retire next month, died of COVID-19, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

A total of 49 PNP personnel have succumbed to the virus since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said one of the new fatalities is a 55-year-old police official who went on non-duty status in preparation for his retirement on May 7. However, the official contracted the virus and died on April 15.

Eleazar did not give other details about the police official, citing privacy.

However, a source said the official was a general who previously led a key unit in Metro Manila. According to the source, the official died in a private hospital somewhere in Metro Manila.

The other is a 50-year-old policeman assigned in Calabarzon who died from complications brought by the virus on April 13.

The two are among the 194 new COVID-19 patients in the police force, based on the PNP’s latest report.

Seventy-five of the new patients are from various administrative and operational support units of the PNP while 43 are assigned in Metro Manila, including in Camp Crame.

Eleazar said the 76 other PNP members are from different police regional units in the country.

At least 18,262 PNP personnel have contracted the virus since last year. A total of 15,764 or 86.32 percent of the patients have recovered.

Eleazar said 8,618 have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Also, 818 or 53.56 percent of the 1,527 beds for police personnel with COVID-19 and their close contacts as well suspected cases in Metro Manila are occupied.