Nocppo records first COVID-19 fatality

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here officially recorded its first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death.

Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, Nocppo information officer, said the 42-year-old fatality was assigned at Sipalay City Police Station, with a rank of Police Staff Sergeant.

Donasco said the COVID-19 victim felt ill on June 18, 2021, and underwent swab test the following day.

His positive test result was released June 19. Two days later, he was rushed to a hospital after he suffered difficulty of breathing.

Donasco said the COVID-19 infected cop died at the hospital on June 26 at 3 p.m.

He had no comorbidities, she said, adding that he was just severely infected by the virus.

Donasco said the policeman did not report to duty since the day he felt ill, and fellow officers he had close contact with already underwent swab tests and are currently quarantined.

“They will still be subjected to re-swab,” she added.

Donasco said they do not know how the cop got infected with the virus.

A team that had no close contact with the fatality continues to render duty at the police station while their other colleagues are on quarantine.

Donasco said there is no need for augmentation or lock down of the station because they were not severely affected.

The provincial police headquarters is preparing assistance for the cop’s family.

As of June 27, Nocppo has a total of 177 COVID-19 cases, including 34 active cases, 1 death, and 142 recoveries.

In November 2020, Nocppo has initially reported their first COVID-19 fatality, but it was later found out that the policeman did not succumb to the disease.