Covid-19 cases among cops top 900

FILE: CHECKPOINT. A police personnel checks on a woman’s quarantine pass at the Cloverleaf Market in Balintawak, Quezon City on Wednesday (April 15, 2020). Authorities are implementing stricter rules to minimize further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – The number of police officers infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is now 902, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, Gamboa said that of the confirmed cases as of 6 a.m. Monday, there are 479 active cases while 414 have recovered. The death toll stands at nine.

Gamboa said the high number of cases were registered at the National Capital Region Police with 354; Police Regional Office-7 (Central Visayas), 248; the National Support Units, 81; and PRO 4-A (Calabarzon), 69.

“Incidentally, PRO7 posted the 830 suspected cases that are awaiting confirmatory testing,” Gamboa said.

Based on PNP data, there are at least 1,148 policemen who are classified as suspected Covid-19 cases while 726 others are considered as probable cases.

The police have been at the forefront of implementing quarantine rules either through manning and supervising of checkpoints or conduct of patrol in various communities to enforce quarantine rules that include physical distancing and the wearing of face masks.