Testing, tracing underway for contacts of infected cops

MANILA, Philippines — Over 100 police officers and non-uniformed personnel of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 3 will undergo swab tests after 82 of their colleagues tested positive for COVID-19.

At least 42 of them were identified as close contacts of the infected police officers. They will be isolated at a quarantine facility at Camp Karingal while waiting for their swab test results.

Those who were not exposed will continue to be on duty at the QCPD Station 3, according to the city government. But they will not be allowed to go home until the swab test results are out.

Police on Wednesday confirmed that 82 members of the QCPD Station 3 were infected with the virus. Seventy-four of them are uniformed personnel, four are civilian employees and four are police aides.

The local government said 57 of those who tested positive for the virus were fully vaccinated, two have received their first dose while 23 others are not yet inoculated.

QCPD Station 3 commander Lt. Col. Cristine Tabdi, who was relieved from her post yesterday, said the infected police officers deployed during President Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address had no contact with the public.

Tabdi said the police officers were assigned as route security and did not directly engage with the public, including the protesters.

The QCPD drew public flak for deploying the police officers while waiting for their swab test results.

Despite the majority of its personnel under isolation, operations of the QCPD Station 3 and the police community precincts will continue, Tabdi said prior to her relief.

An outdoor reception area was set up to receive complaints, with officers from the QCPD’s district mobile force battalion assigned to replace their infected colleagues.

Visitors are prohibited from visiting inmates of the QCPD Station 3. The city government will provide food for the detainees.

Contact tracing is underway to determine possible exposure of visitors and detainees.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the vaccination of 536 commissioned and non-commissioned police officers assigned at the QCPD.