Frontliners hit hard by Covid
THE coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is taking its toll on the men and women on the frontline of the government’s offensive to fight the contagion.
At least 420 police officers enforcing the enhanced quarantine in Metro Manila have been taken off their posts after being suspected of contracting the virus.
On Friday, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) confirmed the death of another doctor from Covid-19, bringing the caseload fatalities among doctors to 10.
PMA President Jose Santiago Jr. did not delve into details.
“We mourn the death of one of our colleagues,” said Santiago in a interview with DZBB radio. “I just
received word this morning that as of today (Friday) na sampu na [ang bag on gk a so ], may na dag dag naisa (there are 10 new cases).”
The day also saw reports of high government officials, including Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., suspected of contracting the disease.
The rising number of casualties among frontliners highlights their vulnerability to infection as they perform their duties without adequate protective equipment.
The 420 Metro Manila policemen are now considered as persons under monitoring (PUMs), National Capital Region Police Office chief, MGen. Debold Sinas, said on Friday.
Seventeen other officers were tagged as persons under investigation, he added.
One policeman from the Manila Police District tested positive for Covid and all 36 of his colleagues at the station are considered PUMs.
There are 25,350 officers deployed in Metro Manila for the enhanced community quarantine.
Sinas said the 49 control quarantine points on the borders of the metropolis were equipped with personal protective equipment and scanners.
Another 120 internal control quarantine points were set up to secure the people going outside of their houses in Metro Manila, he added.
He also said crime rate in Metro Manila went down to 56.9 percent since the quarantine was enforced.
PMA President Santiago did not name the doctor who died.
On Thursday, Department of Health chief Francisco Duque 3rd announced the passing of the president of Philippine Pediatric Society, Sally Gatchalian.
Santiago also revealed the identity of eight other doctors who passed away on Thursday.
Two were cardiologists from the Philippine Heart Center — Doctors Israel Bactol and Raul Jara.
The others were Doctors Rose Pulido, oncologist at the San Juan de Dios Hospital; Greg Macasaet 3rd, anesthesiologist at the Manila Doctors Hospital; Henry Fernandez of the Pangasinan Medical Society; Marcelo Jaochico of the Pampanga Provincial Health Center; Raquel Seva, an OB-Gyne in Laguna; and Hector Alvarez of the Novaliches District Hospital.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said General Santos had tested positive for Covid-19.
Capt. Jonathan Zata, the AFP public affairs chief, said the 55-year-old Santos will have to be in strict home quarantine for 14 days starting Friday.
Lorenzana said he had close interactions with Santos twice.
“I have no symptoms but protocol says I have to self-quarantine for 14 days,” the 71-year-old Lorenzana said.
Also on Friday the Department of Education said an official in Schools Division of Mandaluyong City tested positive for Covid.
It added that the official is recovering at a hospital.
The official attended the National Schools Press Conference and National Festival of Talents last March 9 to 15 in Tuguegarao City.
In Malacañang, the entire Presidential Security Group (PSG) is on lockdown for 14 days after a lawmaker who tested positive for Covid-19 attended a meeting at the Palace last weekend.
PSG commander Jesus Durante 3rd said on Friday that he required all his men to stay indoors effective on Saturday.
Joining the list of infected officials is an undersecretary of the Health department.
Duque confirmed that the official, who he did name identify, had mild symptoms