Cops with COVID climb to 83

The number of Philippine National Police personnel infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 rose to 83 after three more policemen tested positive for COVID-19, the PNP reported yesterday.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the new patients are three policemen aged 28 to 50.

Banac said two of the patients are assigned in Metro Manila and another in Cavite.

The 28-year-old police officer is undergoing treatment in a hospital. The two others, who have not shown symptoms of the virus, are on self-quarantine.

Banac said three police officers succumbed to COVID-19 while 12 have recovered from the disease.

He said some of the police officers who have tested positive for the virus were asymptomatic.

A total of 693 PNP personnel are under monitoring for possible COVID-19 infection.

PNP fundraiser hits P208 M

The PNP’s donation drive dubbed “Bayanihan Fund Challenge” to help poor families affected by the enhanced community quarantine has reached P208.1 million, according to Banac.

Banac said they exceeded their target to raise only P200 million.

The funds sourced from the voluntary contributions of PNP personnel will be used to help indigent families affected by the lockdowns, which was extended in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“The PNP is also helping poor Filipinos endure staying at home amid hard conditions for the nation to win its war against the pandemic,” Banac said.

The national police also earmarked P81 million for its “Kapwa ko, sagot ko” program that would benefit around 141,000 poor families.

Under the program, police officers would adopt an indigent family in their respective areas by providing them food packs, grocery items and financial assistance for at least a week.

Barangay coding scheme

Starting next week, the Pasig City government will implement a barangay coding scheme to limit the number of people in public markets and grocery stores.

Mayor Vico Sotto said the scheme aims to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Sotto made the announcement amid public fears of a city-wide total lockdown.

“No such thing as a total lockdown in Pasig,” he said.

Under the coding scheme, only residents from 10 barangays per day would be allowed to go out of their homes to do supply runs.

The local police will start distributing permits on Thursday.