By Restituto Cayubit
PALO, LEYTE – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) recently acquired 16 sets of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a report from PRO-8, based in Camp Ruperto Kangleon, this town, said here Thursday.
Police Brigadier General Ferdinand O. Divina, PRO-8 regional director, told Manila Bulletin that the PPE would in support to the government’s effort to contain the spread of the virus in the country.
He added that the Philippine National Police (PNP), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), was directed to conduct contact tracing for possible Patients Under Investigation (PUI) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), secure the transfer of these patients to the appropriate health facilities, ensure the security and the well-being of its personnel, and provide necessary needs, supplies and medical equipment particularly to the designated responders.
Divina reported that the PPE included Tyvek Chemical Suit, OR Gown (Disposable); Thermo Scan (Infrared); N95 Mask; Rubberized Gloves; Nitrile Gloves, Chemical Resistant Steel Toe and Shank Boots; Disposable Chemical Resistant Boot Covers; Garbage Bag (Bio Hazard); Face Shiel; Eye Shields; Dry Fit Shirts; Power Sprayer (pressurized); Soap; Duct tape; and Zip Locks.
“This equipment is intended for the use of the Regional Standby Support Force (RSSF) team of PRO8 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak which recorded several PUI and PUM in the region,” Divina said.
The PRO-8’s designated RSSF team which is composed of 34 personnel has started to undergo training on the proper usage of these PPE on March 3 with the Regional Health Service 8 of PRO-8.
“The safety and protection of our community and personnel will always be the top priority of our responders relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Rest assured that we are continuously in collaboration with the concerned agencies to ensure the safety of everyone,” Divina stated.