COVID-19 cases in PNP surge to 2,412

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police opened more quarantine facilities at Camp Crame as COVID-19 cases in the PNP reached 2,412 yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said 100 beds were set aside at the badminton court and another 80 at the police training service facility.

Sources said there is no longer space for infected police officers at the Kiangan emergency treatment facility, the primary quarantine site for COVID-19 patients at Camp Crame.

The quarantine complex has a bed capacity of only 380 but currently caters to at least 447 patients.

One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a portion of the facility is now crowded with COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

The area has a bed capacity of only 22 but it has over 50 COVID patients.

The source said some of the patients are lying on the concrete floor while others are sitting on plastic chairs.

Two other quarantine facilities of the PNP are reportedly nearing full capacity.

One is the 294-bed Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay. The source said there are 257 COVID patients at the PICC, which has an occupancy rate of about 85 percent.

The Philsports Arena in Pasig is 97.72 percent occupied.

The quarantine facility at the National Capital Region Police Office has stopped accepting patients due to a shortage of medical workers.

The PNP recorded 537 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. Among those who tested positive for the virus was PNP spokesman Col. Roderick August Alba.

76 areas in MM under lockdown

Meanwhile, 76 areas in the National Capital Region have been placed under granular lockdown due to COVID-19 cases.

The areas on lockdown consist of 61 houses and 15 residential buildings, the PNP said.

Last week, only 22 areas were placed under lockdown.

Forty-one of the areas under lockdown are in Manila and 18 in eastern Metro Manila.

The PNP said 16 are in northern Metro Manila and one in southern Metro Manila.

Based on the PNP report, Quezon City has no area under lockdown.

A total of 137 households or 251 people are affected by the lockdown. They are being secured by 184 police officers and 189 force multipliers.