ANOTHER police officer has died from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the death toll in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to 79.

PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar said the latest mortality was a 51-year old policeman assigned in Cotabato City.

Based on the report from Health Service, the police officer tested positive for Covid-19 on July 9. He died in the hospital on July 18 due to pneumonia.

Eleazar said the policeman suffered from diabetes, hypertension, intestinal parasitism and hyperthyroidism.

Meanwhile, new infections among police personnel have been decreasing.

There were 45 new cases on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, raising the total number of cases to 29,476 with 1,192 active cases.

There were 103 recoveries, bringing the total to 28,205.

Eleazar urged all police personnel to get the vaccine against Covid-19.

"Nakikita na natin ang epekto ng pagbabakuna sa ating sarili kontra sa Covid-19. Sa mga nakalipas na araw, pababa ng pababa ang mga pulis na nagkakaroon ng naturang virus dahil karamihan sa atin ay protektado na ng bakuna,” Eleazar said.

A total of 22,938 PNP personnel have been fully vaccinated out of the 68,372 who received at least one dose.

First dose inoculations comprised only 31.3 percent of the total PNP personnel.

Aside from urging all police personnel to get the vaccine, Eleazar also issued a reminder about the strict enforcement of minimum public health standards, regularly taking vitamins and performing exercise.

The minimum health standards include proper use of face mask, face shield and disinfectants, and physical distancing. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)