PNP: Cops with COVID hit 709

The number of police officers who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 has breached 700.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said 77 of its personnel contracted the disease in the past five days, bring the total number of COVID-19 infections to 709.

The death toll remained at nine while 346 or 48.80 percent have recovered.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said more than 200 of their personnel who have recovered are fit to work.

Banac said they need all the available personnel on the field to maintain peace and order during as the country remains under a community quarantine.

According to Banac, their police frontliners are required to undergo a self-quarantine for 14 days for observation if they have symptoms of the virus.

At least 1,784 other PNP personnel are being monitored for symptoms of the virus.