PNP COVID-19 cases breach 28,000; 1 more cop dies due to disease

One more police officer died due to COVID-19 as the total number of infections among Philippine National Police(PNP) personnel reached 28,118 on Friday.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Elazar said the 75th fatality in the organization was a 48-year-old Police Lieutenant assigned in Southern Leyte.

He said the officer experienced flu-like symptoms on June 23 while undergoing community immersion for the Investigation Officers Basic Course (IOBC) and was brought to a hospital.

On June 27, he underwent a swab test which came back positive.

His family planned to transfer him to another hospital in Ormoc or Tacloban City but all hospitals they contacted were already at full capacity.

On June 30 at 11 p.m., the officer was pronounced dead by his attending physician due to severe pneumonia from COVID-19.

"Nakausap na po natin ang hepe ng naturang pulis at ipinagbilin na tulungan ang kaniyang pamilya sa anumang kanilang pangangailangan", Eleazar said.

(I spoke with his chief and asked the cop’s family be provided with assistance.)

As of Friday, the PNP recorded 28,118 total cases with 156 new infections. At least 26,315 have recovered while 1,728 are still active cases.

According to Eleazar, around 18% of all PNP personnel were vaccinated for COVID-19, including 39,477 who received a first dose and 13,485 who were fully vaccinated, mostly personnel on frontline duties. — DVM, GMA News