Over 1K cops with Covid-19 asymptomatic: PNP

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said as of Thursday, they have recorded 1,162 cops who have not experienced any Covid-19 symptoms although they tested positive of the disease. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said a majority of cops who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are asymptomatic.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said as of Thursday, they have recorded 1,162 cops who have not experienced any Covid-19 symptoms although they tested positive of the disease.

Banac also said the PNP has recorded 336 cops who have been experiencing mild symptoms of Covid-19 and six cops have severe symptoms.

“Aside from confirmed cases, isinama sa bilang yung nasa ilang probable and suspect cases pero wala pang results or scheduled to undergo pa lang ng (we also included in the count some probable and suspect cases but it is either they are still awaiting test results or are scheduled to undergo) test,” Banac said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

The Department of Health (DOH), in compliance with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), has listed fever, dry cough, and tiredness as the most common symptoms of Covid-19.

The WHO also identified aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, and rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes as less common symptoms. It also listed difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech or movement as serious symptoms of Covid-19.

As of July 16, the Covid-19 cases in the PNP have reached 1,335 with 37 new infections.

The PNP Health Service said a total of 565 personnel have recovered from the disease while the death toll remains at nine. It is also monitoring 640 probable cases and 1,391 suspected cases.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the infected cops came from those who are manning quarantine checkpoints.

If a police officer tests positive for Covid-19, he/she will observe a 14-day quarantine and undergo another test. Once cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before going back to duty.

At present, the PNP is operating and managing seven quarantine and testing facilities as part of a supportive healthcare system for police front-liners in response to the health crisis.

Gamboa said these quarantine facilities and testing centers are duly accredited and approved by the DOH and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.