Active COVID-19 cases in PNP down to 30

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Dionardo Carlos on Thursday urged personnel not to become complacent even as the overall number of active COVID-19 cases in the organization has dropped to 30. 

The PNP Health Service reported two new cases from Western Mindanao and Cagayan Valley regions, while eight more policemen have recovered from the disease.

Despite the "significant improvement" in the COVID-19 situation in the police force, Carlos asked personnel to "remain aware and vigilant against the continuing risks posed by the virus and its variants."

“This apparent improving trend should not be any cause for complacency among our personnel, because according to health experts, the Philippines is not yet out of the woods,” he added.

The active cases in the PNP peaked at 3,216 on September 17, 2021. 

PNP Health Service Director Police Brigadier General Antonio Cirujales said that all 30 active cases experience mild to moderate symptoms and are all in isolation in PNP and local government facilities. 

There are also no active cases admitted to hospitals at present. 

Cirujales further said that 99.25% of the PNP's 225,592 personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Of these, 212,717 (94.29%) have been fully vaccinated, while 11,199 (4.96%) have received the first dose.

According to the PNP, 778 personnel refuse to get vaccinated, while 898 are unable to receive the vaccine owing to physical issues, contraindications, recent infection, pregnancy, or religious beliefs.

Carlos said on Tuesday that unvaccinated police personnel were to be reassigned to “low risk” duty to avoid infections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Thursday, the total COVID-19 caseload in the police force was 42,223. Of this number, 42,068 have recovered, while 125 have died from the virus. — VBL, GMA News