THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has been tasked to man the quarantine center set up at the Philsports Arena for coronavirus-positive patients.
This is the second quarantine facility assigned to the PNP, which is also manning the Philippine International Convention Center quarantine facility. A total of 42 personnel were assigned there.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa said personnel from the PNP Health Service will also man the We Heal As One Center in Ultra.
"It is an honor for the PNP, especially our frontline police medical and healthcare personnel to be given this vital responsibility to take the lead in putting into action the government's response to this health crisis," Gamboa said during the turnover of the facility.
"With the full support of the national leadership, we are confident we shall be able to accomplish this crucial mission," he added.
He said PNP health personnel will strictly follow medical protocols to ensure their safety.
"So 3 grupo yun and everytime na lalabas yun magpapahinga ng 14 days and bago pumasok iti-test yun. So these are the strict measures na medical protocol," he added.
The quarantine centers are part of the government's National Action Plan against Covid-19, or coronavirus disease.
So far, the government and private sector have converted the following facilities into quarantine or isolation centers, namely, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, World Trade Center in Pasay City, the Asean Convention Center in Clark, and the National Government Administrative Center and the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Meanwhile, the PNP said 112 PNP personnel have tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of May 5.
Three had died while 17 have recovered. The rest are receiving supportive healthcare.
The PNP also said there are 310 personnel categorized as probable persons under investigation (probable PUIs) and 384 personnel as suspected persons under investigation (suspected PUIs).
A total of 1,063 PNP personnel - 375 probable PUIs, 686 suspected PUIs, and two confirmed positive patients - have completed self or home quarantine under strict monitoring and medical observation of the PNP Health Service.
The Marikina City Government has allotted several Covid-19 test kits at the Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory for policemen.
"The PNP is very happy dahil sa at least natapos na 'yung lab niya. Binigyan niya kaming PNP ng slots to at least ma-test and I know 'yung buong pulis ng Marikina, automatic 'yung pagpapaswab at magbibigay siya ng another 100 para po sa district," National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Debold Sinas said.
"This will assure na if ever we contracted the Covid-19, mayroon pong area na puwedeng mag-test kaagad para malaman ang status namin," he added. (VoxPop Philippines)