16 cops assigned to quarantine centers undergo swab testing

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Sixteen police officers in Negros Occidental who were assigned to two quarantine centers in the province underwent swab testing for COVID-19 last month.

These policemen were divided into two groups. Eight were assigned to a hotel here while eight others, who are police nurses, were detailed to the healing center in E.B. Magalona town.

The teams provided security to repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) undergoing two-week quarantine.

Police Major Edison Garcia, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said that these police officers were subjected to testing after a reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive case in their assignments.

“It’s part of the regular swab test protocol, pursuant to the health standards,” Garcia added.

Garcia said that these cops tested negative for the virus based on their swab test results, and already returned to their respective posts after their 14-day quarantine assignment to the two facilities.

At present, 43 police officers are assigned to 11 quarantine facilities in the province.

He said that the number of deployed officers will continue to increase depending on the number of quarantine centers.

At least two policemen are assigned to each quarantine facility for 14 days.