A TOTAL of 70 police officers of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) tested positive for the novel coronavirus, an official said Sunday, May 2, 2021.

Police Lieutenant Ma. Liberty Indiape, spokesperson of BCPO, said from April 24 to May 1 surveillance testing conducted at BCPO headquarters, a total of 70 policemen tested positive for Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

She said all of them were transferred to the city's quarantine facility and most of them were asymptomatic.

She added that a contract tracing was already conducted, as well as the regular disinfection at BCPO headquarters and all police stations.

Indiape noted that an augmentation from BCPO headquarters were also deployed to various police stations since some of their personnel tested positive for the Covid-19.

"We want to ensure the operation of our police stations to maintain the peace and order in the city," Indiape said.

All BCPO personnel earlier underwent swab tests based on the recommendation of the Emergency Operations Center, since they are also frontliners.

Indiape reminded all station commanders to strictly enforce health protocols inside the police station, especially wearing face masks and face shields, as well as the observance of social distancing.