At least 18 policemen and one non-uniformed personnel assigned at the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) here were tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) prompting authorities to put this camp under temporary lockdown.

Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PRO-3 director, on Saturday said the infected personnel who underwent swab test last Thursday are mostly asymptomatic.

“Our personnel, including the civilian, who have tested positive are now placed on strict quarantine and monitoring and are immediately transferred to our quarantine facility,” Sermonia said in a statement.

He said they are now conducting contact tracing for the Covid-19 cases.

The PRO-3 headquarters, according to Sermonia, is temporarily placed on lockdown to pave the way for the disinfection of camp facilities and restrict non-essential personnel.

At the same time, he said continuous swab testing is being carried out by the PNP Regional Health Service to personnel who are suspected to be infected with the dreaded virus. (PNA)