(Eagle News) — The Philippine National Police has reported its 68th COVID-19 death among its ranks, as it registered more than 100 additional COVID-19 cases.
In a statement, the PNP said the most recent fatality was a 55-year-old police master sergeant assigned in Cagayan de Oro City.
It said the police officer experienced cough and fever on May 24 but did not initially seek medical consultation for fear of contracting COVID-19.
On May 25, still with a cough, fever, and shortness of breathing, he sought the opinion of a private physician.
He was given an antibiotic for pneumonia and was told to get himself admitted to a hospital but “due to the surge of Covid-19 cases in Cagayan de Oro they were not able to find” a hospital, the PNP said.
When he was finally brought to a medical institution, the PNP said he was swabbed, intubated and was admitted at the intensive care unit COVID ward.
He was then diagnosed with Community Acquired Pneumonia-High Risk, Hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.
On May 26, around 11 a.m., the PNP said the police officer’s wife was informed that her husband had succumbed to COVID-19.
“Ipinapaabot po ng buong pwersa ng PNP ang ating pakikiramay sa pamilya ng namatayan at makakaasa po kayo na aasikasuhin po natin ang mga financial assistance para sa kanila (The entire PNP extends its condolences to his kin. Rest assured that the financial assistance for the family will be arranged),” Eleazar said.
According to recent PNP data, 146 more COVID-19 cases have been reported among police personnel, pushing the total to 24834.
Of these, 1796 were active.
Eighty-three additional recoveries, meanwhile, also pushed the PNP COVID-19 recovery tally to 22970.
“Sa ating mga kapulisan sana ay ibayong pagiingat pa rin tayo habang tayo ay gumagawa ng ating mga tungkulin dahil ang banta sa ating kalusugan dulot ng pandemya ay andiyan pa rin (To our police force, let us exercise precautions while in the performace of our duties because of the threat to our health amid the COVID-19 pandemic),” Eleazar said.