Cop, Bacolod councilor die of COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman assigned in General Santos City died of COVID-19 a day after he was brought to a hospital due to shortness of breath and fever.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the 46-year-old policeman tested positive for the virus and died at around 4:20 a.m.

Eleazar said the policeman was considered a high-risk patient because he had hypertension as well as high cholesterol and uric acid.

“Sa ating mga pulis na mayroong comorbidity, lagi niyong ingatan ang inyong sarili at sana kayo rin ay magpabakuna na para sa dobleng proteksyon,” Eleazar said.

Seventy-three PNP personnel have died after contracting the virus since last year, 43 of them since January.

The PNP recorded 184 new infections yesterday, bringing the active cases in the police force to 1,765.

In Bacolod, Councilor Elmer Sy died in a hospital on Friday after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Sy had a lingering illness and was preparing for a kidney transplant when he was infected.

Bacolod recorded 1,862 COVID-19 cases on Friday. It is among the cities in the priority list for vaccination due to a spike in infections.

Death rate down in Baguio

Meanwhile, Baguio city health officer Rowena Galpo said deaths due to COVID-19 have gone down since they intensified efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable or high-risk groups.

Galpo said the fatality rate decreased to 2.04 percent, with three deaths recorded from June 2 to 9.

Thirteen deaths due to COVID-19 were recorded from June 1 to 22.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong had earlier ordered the vaccination of those aged 65 and above, considered the most susceptible group, to prevent more deaths.