More cops getting shots, says PNP

More police personnel have expressed their willingness to participate in the government’s mass vaccination program against the coronavirus diseases, the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) number two man disclosed Monday.

From only 49 percent of the 219,000-strong organization just two weeks ago, the number is now at 70.14 percent.

“As of this moment, out of the 219,130 personnel in active duty, those hesitant to take Covid-19 vaccines number around 65,434 which is 29.86 percent. So, this means we have 153,696 police personnel willing to be vaccinated or 70.14 percent of the whole police force,” PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

The official said the latest figure is “a great improvement” credited to the more aggressive information campaign carried out by the national headquarters and cascaded down to the ground by the PNP Health Service.

Relatedly, Eleazar said testing among policemen continues as a big chunk of them continue to work the front lines particularly in quarantine control points, swabbing centers and quarantine facilities.

To date, 101,421 PNP personnel, or 46.3 percent, have been tested for the dreaded virus.

On the other hand, the number of cops hit with Covid-19 has breached the 11,000 mark.

As of Sunday, 21 February, 11,054 confirmed cases had been listed by the PNP — 590 of which are active cases now recuperating in different hospitals and quarantine facilities.