73 QCPD cops under quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 73 police officers from the Quezon City Police District who had direct contact with 13 police officers who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were placed on quarantine during the three-day lockdown of the QCPD headquarters at Camp Karingal, which was lifted yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said the police officers were brought to the NCRPO head office at Camp Bagong Diwa, where they would isolate themselves for 14 days.

“According to our evaluators, 73 ang may direct contact sa mga nag-positive,” he said in a speech at Camp Karingal.

Sinas yesterday announced the termination of the three-day lockdown that began last Saturday, using the period to trace and isolate police officers suspected to have contracted the virus.

A total of 13 police officers at the QCPD were found positive for COVID-19 after undergoing rapid testing.

All of them are asymptomatic, Sinas said, adding that 12 are under quarantine at Camp Bagong Diwa while one is at an isolation facility in Quezon City.

Ten are assigned at Camp Karingal while three come from different community precincts.

A total of 1,632 officers are detailed at the camp.

While the lockdown at Camp Karingal was lifted, stringent health protocols will be implemented to prevent more police personnel from getting infected.

Citing the recommendation of their doctors, Sinas said police officers must wear face masks and other protective gear even if they are within their offices.

Police officers should also observe social distancing at their work stations and avoid sharing food.

“Kung kakain kayo, puwede packed meals. Maglayo kayo,” Sinas said.

9 more cops infected

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said yesterday nine more police officers tested positive for COVID-19.

He did not go into details on the profiles of the police officers.

“There are 140 confirmed COVID-19 cases among PNP personnel, which is around 1.26 percent of the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines,” Gamboa said.

Four police officers have died of COVID-19 while five are undergoing treatment. The rest either have recovered or are under self-quarantine at isolation centers or at home.