THE Philippine National Police (PNP) testing laboratory for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) inside Camp Crame is now fully operational.
The facility, which can conduct 150 tests per day, was inaugurated Tuesday morning, May 16, by PNP Chief Archie Gamboa and other police officials.
“Complementing our initial initiatives to mitigate Covid cases among our ranks by distributing PPE (personal protective equipment), conducting training, disseminating best practices in biosafety and supportive healthcare. This facility further contribute our efforts to have a self-sustaining capability in addressing Covid-19 cases within the PNP organization,” he said.
“With this testing facility we can aggressively push for testing so that we can locate, isolate and care for Covid-19 carriers and those who are sick in order to keep our PNP offices and community safe enough to resume a level of responsive operations and normal economic activities. In so doing we strike a fine balance between ensuring public health and safeguarding PNP personnel's well-being,” he added.
In its update, the PNP Public Information Office said the number of cops who have contracted the novel coronavirus has climbed to 278. Four had died, 117 have recovered while the rest are getting supportive care.
The PNP also recorded 761 probable Covid-19 cases while 595 personnel are listed as suspected cases.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the priority of their newly established testing center are the policemen considered as probable and suspected Covid-19 cases particularly those assigned in Camp Crame, National Capital Region Police Office and other neighboring provinces.
“Uunahin natin dito yung police frontliners natin na kabilang sa category na probable at suspects na mga patients. Kaya natin sila inuuna upang mabigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon naman na maka fully recover at mabigyan ng karampatang medical assistance,” he said.
“Mauuna muna ang mga pulis natin pag natapos na ang mga pulis natin ay saka pa lamang maaring i-consider ang dependets at family members, later on maaari narin maconsider ang general public upon endorsement of Department of Health,” he added.
Banac said the PNP will also establish testing centers in the Visayas and Mindanao regional police offices. (SunStar Philippines)