COVID-infected PNP personnel now at 671 — Gamboa

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded a total of 671 COVID-19 cases among police officers, its chief said on Monday.

"From the latest data posted yesterday morning, we have recorded 671 confirmed cases among PNP personnel, representing 1.9% of the total nationwide cases recorded by DOH (Department of Health)," Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said at a press briefing.

Gamboa said a total of 342 personnel have already recovered from the illness, with 211 of them completely recovered and have been restored to fit-to-work status while 131 others are still completing the required quarantine period.

The fatalities have remained at nine, according to Gamboa.

Gamboa said the National Capital Region Police Office has the highest number of confirmed cases with 285 while Police Regional Office VII has 169 positive cases.

"This is the reason why we had to deploy augmentation forces to Cebu .The PRO VII may have to adapt rotational deployment of its frontline personnel in lockdown areas, because its effective strength will be depleted when some personnel will need to undergo quarantine," Gamboa said.

Gamboa also mentioned that the construction of the RT/PCR facility in Cebu City has started.

"Nagsimula na 'yung structure and it so happened na 'yung mga gumawa noong mga dating system dito, also has a company in Cebu. So medyo mapadali 'yung ating infrastructure," Gamboa said.

"Hopefully mapadali din 'yung accreditation ng mga medical technologists natin pati mga delivery ng machines," Gamboa added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News