Officials in Peru say seventeen police officers have died after catching coronavirus, while enforcing a nationwide lockdown.
Peru authorities say over 1,000 police officers have already been infected with the virus.
Some 220,000 Covid-19 tests for the police force are expected in the country in May, according to officials.
The country has recorded more than 25,000 infections and 700 deaths as at April 26,2020.
Peru has been enforcing very strict measures meant to stop the spread of coronavirus, restricting public movement.
President Martín Vizcarra said earlier this month about the new lockdown measures that “extra effort to control this disease” is needed.
The restrictions however are being rolled out on gender-bases, intended to reduce the number of people circulating in public.
“We have to get fewer people on the streets every day,” Vizcarra said.
On Friday, the country’s Interior Minister Carlos Morán resigned after facing criticisms for failing to provide officers with masks and medical care, resigned.
Gastón Rodríguez, the new interior minister has said that $15m has now been allocated to purchase protective equipment for police.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
