Cops with coronavirus now 315

Based on data as of Sunday night, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service said 163 patients have already recovered while the death toll stands at four. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA – The number of police officers infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has reached 315.

Based on data as of Sunday night, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service said 163 patients have already recovered while the death toll stands at four.

It is also monitoring 696 probable cases and 677 suspect cases.

Last week, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said more than 60 percent of the infected cops are from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and are deployed in checkpoint duties.

“We strive to continue to provide personnel with supportive healthcare to enhance the resiliency of our police front-liners.

We also thank the PNP front-liners and the public for what had occurred in the past 72 days and encourage them to continue or better if we can improve on some specific things for a better transition,” he said.

As a response, Gamboa said the PNP assured extensive testing mechanisms and improved protection of the policemen manning the checkpoints.

He added that the PNP is also planning to establish testing centers in Visayas and Mindanao regional police offices.

“In Mindanao, it’s Davao and in the Visayas, it’s Cebu. These locations are strategic and will be accessible to most police officers in the Visayas and Mindanao. So probably, we are putting up testing centers there,” he said.

Last week, the PNP officially opened its Covid-19 testing center in Camp Crame after getting accreditation from the Department of Health.

Gamboa said the move to come with up a fully operational testing center aims to fast-track the results of each test of police personnel.