ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has confirmed that the number of
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases at the police station in northern Iloilo town of Lemery has risen to nine.
“There are eight new cases of COVID-19,” confirmed IPPO Director Colonel Gilbert Gorero.
Gorero told Manila Bulletin Sunday, January 31, the new cases consisted of seven policemen and a non-uniform personnel (NUP).
To recall, Lemery town police chief Captain Edwin Belarmino tested positive for COVID-19 early last week. But Belarmino was not physically in Lemery town since he was in his hometown in Negros Occidental province for vacation and was tested there.
Local officials have earlier said that Lemery town has not recorded any COVID-19 cases.
“But it could have been possible that there are asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in Lemery and people were not tested,” Gorero explained.
The seven cops and the NUP are all asymptomatic and are currently isolated at a quarantine facility.
Gorero also reiterated that the police station of Lemery town remains functional and that there is a mobile force that augmented the local police station.
“Despite COVID-19, we still have a job to do,” Gorero assured.
Meanwhile, the police station in San Joaquin town is now back to normal. Gorero said all policemen and NUPs have been cleared from COVID-19.