ILOILO City – The San Jose police station in Antique province was placed on lockdown starting yesterday, March 21. A police officer tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He had contact with a COVID-positive police officer of the Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO), according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6.
The San Jose policeman had the rank of Staff Sergeant.
His reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test yielded a positive result for coronavirus yesterday morning, Malong said.
This police officer underwent swabbing Friday last week after he had contact with the COVID-hit APPO officer who also had the rank of Staff Sergeant.
The two police personnel were brought to the town’s quarantine facility. Five more close contacts will be subjected to RT-PCR testing today.
A massive decontamination and contact tracing were underway.
“If the five police personnel turn out to be negative for COVID-19, the other officers won’t be subjected to RT-PCR testing. But if positive, all police officers will be swabbed,” Malong said.
In the meantime, Mobile Group personnel and officers of the San Jose sub-station will temporarily take over the vacated posts.
Malong has advised all police personnel in the region to always observe minimum health protocols./PN
