More COVID-19 cases in NCR cops, but suspect cases in Central Visayas higher: PNP

June 29, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said Metro Manila still recorded more coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among cops but the number of suspect cases in Central Visayas is higher.

In a press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) posted the highest number of confirmed cases with 285, and 450 probable and 89 suspect cases.

Central Visayas recorded 169 confirmed cases, 694 suspected cases, and 156 probable cases.

“This is the reason why we had to deploy augmentation forces to Cebu. The PRO7 may have to adapt rotational deployment of its frontline personnel in lockdown areas, because its effective strength will be depleted when some personnel will need to undergo quarantine,” he said.

PNP recorded 671 confirmed cases among  personnel, representing 1.9 percent of the total nationwide cases recorded by the Department of Health (DOH).

A total of 342 personnel, or 51 percent, have since recovered from the infection with 211 or 62 percent completely recovered and have been restored to fit-to-work status.

One hundred and thirty one, or 38 percent, of recovered PNP patients are finishing the required quarantine period.

At present, PNP has 320 active cases, of which 287 are in quarantine facilities for mild to moderate cases, eighteen are in sick bay in the hospital, while 15 are under home quarantine.

“The nine PNP COVID-related deaths represent 0.7 percent of the national total,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said NCRPO has fewer suspect cases than Central Visayas possibly due to the greater availability of testing in Metro Manila.

“This is part of the reason we are preparing to put up another PNP-operated RT-PCR laboratory in the Visayas,” Gamboa said.

He said they are targeting it to be operational within a month.

“We are starting the structure and it so happened that the one who did the system here also has a company in Cebu… Hopefully we can fast track the accreditation of our medical technologists so that we can deliver the machines,” he added.

Gamboa said PNP is closely watching the situation in other regions where there are emerging situations of a spike in COVID-19 cases so that they can initiate a proactive response.  Ella Dionisio/DMS