Naga police station on lockdown

By Jason B. Neola

The Naga City Police Office (NCPO) Station 1 is currently on lockdown after an inmate in its detention facility was tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

The inmate’s Covid-19 positive test result was obtained three days after he was subjected to RT-PCR/swab test as required by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The BJMP requires detainees to undergo Covid-19 test before they will be committed for imprisonment at the Naga City District Jail.

The inmate who was infected by the virus is presently under hospital confinement after he complained of severe stomach pain and abdominal bloating.

Lt. Col. Errol Garchitorena, NCPO deputy commander for administration, said that aside from 18 prisoners who became close contacts of the infected inmate, nine policemen were sent to isolation facility as they were direct contacts of the detainee.

Police Station 1, which is located near the NCPO headquarters in Barlin Street in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Naga city has a total of 43 personnel. Thirty of them were locked down inside the police station while four are in work from home set up.

In the meantime, Garchitorena said, it will be the personnel from Police Station 5 who will perform the duties and responsibilities of their co-workers who are on lockdown.