Manila, July 28 -- A total of 82 police officers from the Quezon City Police District found positive for the coronavirus are now undergoing quarantine in the city's facilities.

The police officers were tested last July 23 during the routine testing of the city's front-liners often exposed and at a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Dr. Rolando Cruz, city's epidemiology unit chief, said the 82 who tested positive are assigned to three police stations -- Police Station 3 in Talipapa, Novaliches, Police Community Precinct 1 in Unang Sigaw and Police Community Precinct 2 in Bahay Toro.

"The first 48 positive cases were already admitted to several of our HOPE facilities last night, July 27. The other 34 will be admitted today," Cruz said.

All police officers who tested positive are asymptomatic and have been fully vaccinated, he added.

In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Joy Belmonte appealed to the public not to panic, especially in areas of the precincts where the police personnel are assigned.

"The city government is prepared to contain the spread of the virus. Our CESU has the capability to deal with this situation. We are appealing to anyone who is experiencing symptoms to please call 122 and inform CESU immediately," Belmonte said.

The city is carrying out an investigation near and around the precincts where these police officers are assigned to identify the source of the infection.

This would also determine if it is necessary to place these areas under granular lockdowns.

Despite the situation, Police Station 3 commander Lt. Col. Cristine Tabdi assured that the station would remain operational.

The station would set up an area to receive reports or complaints outdoors. Visits to the station are also prohibited in the meantime.

Meantime, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will strictly enforce quarantine protocols in Metro Manila amid the threat of the highly infectious Delta variant.

"I am directing police commanders to be more vigilant in preventing the occurrence of social gatherings, which may be considered super spreader events that could lead to a high transmission rate of Covid-19," PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said.

Independent research group OCTA warned the public against taking part in social gatherings amid the spike in cases in Metro Manila and the country overall which it said may be driven by the Delta variant.

So far, the Philippines has recorded a total of 119 cases of the Delta variant.