2 more cops die of COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Two more policemen have succumbed to COVID-19, bringing to 106 the number of Philippine National Police (PNP) members who died after being infected with the virus.

One of the fatalities is a 35-year-old patrolman assigned in Ilocos region, who received his first dose of China-made Sinovac.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the patrolman was brought to a hospital on Aug. 24 after he experienced difficulty in breathing. He died of pneumonia on the same day.

A post-mortem examination and swab test showed the policeman was infected with COVID-19.

The other fatality is a 54-year-old with the rank of executive master sergeant from Bicol, who was admitted to a quarantine facility after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

He was brought to a hospital on Aug. 23 due to shortness of breath and low oxygen level. He died of acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 after three days.

The patient’s records showed he was inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine.

The number of active cases in the PNP is now at 2,022 after 219 tested positive for the virus yesterday.

Eleazar said 101,302 PNP personnel have been fully vaccinated while 103,276 have received their first dose.

“We are hoping that by the end of this month all PNP personnel will be vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said.