The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) second coronavirus disease testing laboratory in Camp Crame is now operational and expected to boost the testing capacity for police frontliners, PNP Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, said on Monday.

The PNP Health Service Molecular Laboratory was set up at the compound of the PNP Health Service in Camp Crame, Quezon City and inaugurated over the weekend.

The other laboratory is operated by the PNP Crime Laboratory, also in Camp Crame. Meanwhile, another RT-PCR laboratory in Cebu City has been constructed and is now in the initial stages of the licensing process.

In total, the two Camp Crame-based laboratories and the one in Cebu City have a daily capacity of 150-180 tests.

As of Sunday, the PNP recorded a total of 5,060 confirmed Covid-19 cases among PNP personnel, 3,623 of whom have recovered from the infection while 16 died due to medical co-morbidities and complications.

“Of the 1,421 active cases at present, 1,387 are under quarantine, while 34 are receiving treatment in medical facilities. It should be noted that recovery rate of PNP Covid cases is at 71.6 percent consistent with rates posted on a national scale,” Cascolan said.

Cops tested for Covid-19 observe a 14-day quarantine and undergo another test. Once cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before going back to duty. (PNA)