Policeman suspected of COVID-19 infection dies

A policeman suspected of COVID-19 infection has died, police confirmed Sunday.

Police said a male policeman from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Manila died Saturday due to respiratory failure. His COVID-19 test is expected to be released Tuesday.

CIDG personnel in Manila will be under quarantine in their office, pending the result of the test on the policeman. Should it turn out positive, CIDG personnel will remain quarantined at the Manila Police District Health Service.


CIDG personnel in Camp Crame will also be confining themselves in their office as a precautionary measure.

The male policeman who died had diabetes and began experiencing severe cough three months ago, but did not seek medical attention, police added.

He complained of inflamed tonsils on March 4, and sought medical attention at FB Harrison Medical Hospital in Pasay CIty the day after.


A day after heading home with his family to General Trias, Cavite on March 6, he was rushed to Divine Grace Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fever and a viral infection. He was not admitted at the hospital.

He and his family returned to Manila on March 8. On March 9, he was admitted at Adventist Medical Center Manila in Pasay City after being diagnosed with a tonsil infection and possibly pneumonia. He stayed at that hospital until his death.

His remains will be cremated on March 20, police said.


The number of patients who had contracted COVID-19 in the country has topped 100, with the Health Department confirming 47 new cases on Sunday. Nine people have died because of the disease, bringing its fatality rate to seven percent — above the global average of between three to four percent.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which is related to the virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but is not as deadly, with the fatality rate standing at around three percent.

According to the WHO, 80 percent of patients only experience “mild illness” and eventually recover. It added that some 14 percent experience severe illness, while five percent were critically ill.


The disease is spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when people infected with the virus cough or sneeze.

To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.

Commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms are fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. Those with severe and critical symptoms should call the Health Department at (02) 8-651-7800 local 1149-1150.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.

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This article first appeared on CNN Philippines.

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