Argao jail warden dies

THE warden of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) 7 facility in Argao town, southern Cebu has died after showing symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Before Jail Francisco Pujol

Senior Insp. Jr. was declared dead on arrival at the Argao District Hospital past 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020, he had difficulty breathing.

He had also been coughing for the past six days.

Jail Supt. Reynante Rubio, BJMP 7 assistant director for administration, said the doctors did not say if Pujol, 32, had contracted Covid-19 as they are still waiting for the results of his swab test.

Pujol's death certificate states he died of acute coronary syndrome hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Five jail officers who were Pujol's close contacts were isolated in a facility. They were the ones who brought Pujol to the Argao District Hospital.

The BJMP 7 has appointed an officer who will take care of the needs of Pujol's family, including the late jail official's benefits.

Jail Senior Insp. Dennis Aliño was appointed officer-in -charge of the jail facility in Argao, and five jail officers temporarily replaced the isolated personnel.

Last June 25, Pujol reportedly felt weak and his blood pressure rose. Two days later, Pujol came down with a fever.

A BJMP 7 physician advised Pujol to admit himself in a hospital, but he refused.

Pujol reportedly decided to stay inside his office.

Around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, July 2, the BJMP 7 personnel found Pujol having difficulty breathing while he was asleep.

When he woke up, the jail nurse advised him to go to a hospital. Pujol reportedly refused.

The BJMP 7 personnel forced Pujol to go with them to Argao District Hospital at 6:10 a.m. Pujol did not make it alive. The BJMP 7 office lowered its flag at half-mast on Thursday to mourn and honor Pujol.