ILOILO – Sixteen members of the 6th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) manning the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Barangay Agcalaga in Calinog town were immediately isolated after they tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
According to Dr. Cesarey Mestidio, municipal health officer, the local transmission began after one of the police officers went to the Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., contractor of JRMP II.
The cop exhibited mild symptoms. He was swabbed and tested positive for COVID-19.
Subsequently, his 15 companions underwent swabbing and were also found positive for the viral disease.
Currently, the cops were all asymptomatic, said Mestidio. Contact tracing was ongoing. The local government unit (LGU) already augmented food packs.
Last month, more than 70 personnel of Daewoo tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the LGU to impose a 14-day lockdown on their compound.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6, said they augmented manpower in place of the infected cops.
As of May 20, PRO-6 recorded 538 total coronavirus cases – 459 recovered, 78 active and one dead.
Malong said the PRO-6 is encouraging all its police officers to undergo regular swabbing.
“We are appealing to our personnel to have extra care and always observe health protocols, especially social distancing, wearing of masks and using alcohol,” Malong said./PN