Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Monday reminded again the police personnel not to self-medicate if they are tested positive for Covid-19.
This, after a 43-year-old senior staff sergeant assigned in Northern Metro Manila succumbed to acute respiratory failure secondary to severe pneumonia caused by the Covid-19.
Eleazar said the policeman, whose identity was withheld and who has not yet received Covid-19 vaccine, died at the Casimiro A. Ynares, Sr. Quarantine Facility in Montalban, Rizal around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“Upon initial interview by the Medical Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office to his wife, the latter claimed that the 87th PNP fatality experienced loss of taste and smell on August 3, 2021 which prompted him to undergo Rapid Antigen Test that yielded positive,” Eleazar said.
He said the police officer underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test that also yielded positive result.
“On August 4, 2021, still with loss of taste and smell and with mild cough and colds, he self-medicated to no relief. Subsequently, he informed the Navotas SHU regarding the result of his antigen test and was advised to undergo RT-PCR test at Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital, Montalban Rizal. His RT-PCR test likewise resulted positive,” he added.
The patient was admitted at Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Quarantine Facility at 2 a.m. on Aug. 5 and was then monitored by Navotas SHU for fever, cough, colds and still loss of taste and smell.
The police officer was no longer able to respond to calls and messages on Aug. 6 and his wife called Navotas CPS on Aug. 7, informing them of his untimely demise.
“The entire PNP deeply sympathizes with the family of the said police officer. We assure the bereaved family of financial assistance and a prompt release of all death benefits due him” Eleazar said.
“This is again a stern reminder to all of our PNP personnel. Do not self-medicate but rather, seek immediate professional medical attention upon the onset symptoms of Covid-19,” he added.
The virus infection brought to a total of 31,497 PNP personnel who were infected by the coronavirus based on the latest PNP report as of Monday.
The PNP Health Service also recorded a total of 57 new recoveries bringing the total to 29,737. Meanwhile, there are still a total of 1,673 active cases in the police force.
On the other hand, a total of 63,553 or 28.24 percent PNP personnel are now fully vaccinated while 57,466 personnel or 25.94 percent have received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine leaving a remainder of 101,488 PNP personnel or 45.82 percent unvaccinated.
Source: Philippines News Agency