ONLY 108 police personnel from Central Visayas who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are undergoing treatment.
The 79 who recovered Monday morning, Aug. 10, 2020, are set to donate their blood plasma.
Of the 528 police personnel who tested positive for Covid-19 in the region, 420 are back at work after they were placed in isolation and completed the recovery program initiated by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and the Cebu City Government.
According to PRO 7 Director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, they expect additional recoveries in the coming days.
Recovery rate
He said they are waiting for the test results of 80 of the 139 police recruits who tested positive for Covid-19 and were placed in isolation in the Regional Training School in Sitio Laray, Barangay Jugan in the northern town of Consolacion at the end of July.
“If results turn out to be negative, the recovery rate will be around 90 percent. We will just take care of those who remain sick. Hopefully, the number of policemen who are infected will be small,” Ferro said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
The police official announced that they will start the donation drive for the blood plasma next week. The plasma will be turned over to the Department of Health to be used for Covid-19 patients in hospitals who are in dire need of medical help.
Ferro encouraged those who recovered from the virus to donate their blood plasma.
“Maybe by Monday next week, we are planning to conduct a Makatao, Malasakit plasma donor program at the Regional Training Center in Consolacion. I’ve been a regular donor for Red Cross, but this time around is different because our survivors or recoveries will be voluntarily donating their plasma for free,” he said.
The PRO 7 director and his team are also looking into reports that some individuals in Cebu City are selling their blood plasma.
According to Ferro, he has assigned the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7, along with other police units, to conduct the investigation and find the perpetrators. (AYB / CBQ)