THE Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that a police senior sergeant assigned in northern Metro Manila is the latest COVID-19 fatality among the country’s police force.
The police officer succumbed to acute respiratory failure secondary to severe pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
This puts the latest COVID-19 death toll in the PNP to 87.
PNP Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar said the 43-year-old police staff master sergeant, whose identity was withheld and who is still unvaccinated, died at the Casimiro A. Ynares, Sr. Quarantine Facility in Montalban (Rodriguez) Rizal at 5 p.m. on August 7, 2021.
“Upon initial interview by the Medical Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office with his wife, the latter claimed that the officer experienced loss of taste and smell on August 3, 2021 which prompted him to undergo Rapid Antigen Test that yielded positive,” PGen Eleazar said.
“On August 4, 2021, still with loss of taste and smell and with mild cough and colds, he self-medicated but with no relief. Subsequently, he informed the Navotas SHU regarding the result of his antigen test and was advised to undergo RT-PCR test at Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital, Montalban Rizal. His RT-PCR test likewise resulted positive,” Eleazar added.
The patient was admitted at Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Quarantine Facility at 2 a.m. on August 5, 2021, who was then monitored by Navotas SHU still with fever, cough, colds and with loss of taste and smell.
Accordingly, the patient was no longer responsive to calls and messages on August 6, 2021. His wife called Navotas CPS on August 7, 2021 at 5 p.m. and informed them of his untimely demise.
“The entire PNP deeply sympathizes with the family of the said police officer. We assure the bereaved family of financial assistance and a prompt release of all death benefits due him,” Eleazar narrated.
“This is again a stern reminder to all of our PNP personnel. Do not self-medicate but rather seek immediate professional medical attention upon the onset symptoms of COVID-19,” Eleazar added.
The virus infection brought to a total of 31,497 PNP personnel who were infected by the coronavirus disease based on the latest PNP report dated August 9.
Moreover, the PNP Health Service also recorded a total of 57 new recoveries bringing the total to 29,737. Meanwhile, there are still a total of 1,673 active cases in the police force.
On the other hand, a total of 63,553 or 28.24 percent of PNP personnel are now fully vaccinated while 57,466 personnel or 25.94 percent have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, leaving a remainder of 101,488 PNP personnel or 45.82 percent still unvaccinated.