COVID-infected PNP personnel now at 315

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded a total of 315 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among its personnel.

As of 6 p.m. of May 31, the police organization said the number of recoveries was  163 while the number of fatalities remained at four.

The PNP said 109 of the 163 recovered cases are yet to complete the required quarantine period while 54 others have already been considered as "completely recovered."

The number of probable COVID-19 cases is already at 696 while the number of suspected cases is 677, the PNP noted.

Last week, the PNP launched its RT/PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) facility, which is manned by seven personnel from the PNP Crime Laboratory and six others are from the PNP Health Service.

PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has said the facility will complement the PNP's initial initiatives to mitigate COVID-19 cases among cops. 

Aside from monitoring the health of all its personnel, the PNP will also implement a new set of guidelines to be observed by all PNP offices and units amid the "new normal."

Gamboa said the PNP has identified six key factors that define the new normal for the police organization:

• Adherence to Minimum Health Standards - These are DOH-defined non-pharmaceutical interventions that do not involve vaccines and medications which individuals and communities can carry out to mitigate the spread of infection;
• Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to minimize transmission of disease by migration of physical/in-person processes to a virtual environment thru the use of electronic communication platforms, social media, and devices such as drone, CCTV, body worn Camera;
• Revised Deployment Scheme/ Work Schedule adjustments to ensure that all PNP personnel, particularly front-liners, are free from infection and are all fit for work thru work-from-home arrangement, skeletal workforce, four-day (compressed) workweek and staggered working hours;
• Enhanced Personal Knowledge/Competency - Integration of health-related learning in the curriculum of different police courses and training programs;
• Enhanced Workspace Infrastructure adjustments to PNP workspaces (both office and vehicle) to ensure that risk of infection is minimized; and
• New Equipment and Additional Funding for test kits, PPE, collapsible tents, hospital beds, IT equipment, connectivity, and non-lethal police intervention equipment.

— Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News