PNP death toll due to COVID-19 rises to 55

The total number of fatalities among personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to COVID-19 is now 55, after two more died due to the disease, the PNP said.

In a statement issued Monday, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said the latest fatalities were a 46-year -old policeman assigned in Valenzuela City and a 39-year old female non-uniformed personnel (NUP) assigned at Camp Crame.

On April 16, the policeman consulted their station health unit after experiencing fever and cough. After three days, he was tested positive for COVID-19.

The policeman was also immuno-compromised with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to the PNP.

On Saturday, he was declared dead due to acute respiratory failure.

Meanwhile, the female NUP experienced intermittent fever, cough and sore throat for three days despite antibiotic therapy, the PNP said.

After testing positive for COVID-19, she was transported to a quarantine facility inside Camp Crame. On Saturday, she was transferred to the nearest hospital when she suffered from bilateral pneumonia.

On Sunday, she died.

"The bereaved families of both PNP personnel will receive the full financial support and social benefits" Sinas said.

As of Monday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the PNP is 19,735 with 1,863 active cases. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News