LGUs ordered to increase contact tracing teams for COVID-19 carriers

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday ordered local government units to increase their trained contact tracing teams (CCTs) to further monitor suspected carriers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Mahalaga ang papel ng CCTs para tuluyan ng bumaba ang kaso ng Covid-19 sa bansa. Nakasalalay sa kanila ang pagtukoy at pag-isolate ng mga nakasalamuha ng may sakit na Covid-19 at pagpapagamot ng mga Covid-19 positive,” Año said in a statement.

(The role of CCTs is important to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The teams will identify and isolate close contacts of COVID-19 patients and patients positive for coronavirus who need treatment.)

The CTT will be led by the chiefs of police and City or Municipal Health Officer, Año said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection, city/municipal disaster risk reduction management officer, city/municipal barangay health worker; barangay health emergency response team members; and barangay public safety officer will also assist in contact tracing activities.

Año also said local government units should increase personnel to conduct swab tests to help the Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit during expanded COVID-19 testing.

The DILG chief reiterated that every local government units must establish a community quarantine facility as the number of coronavirus disease cases continues to increase.

To date, the Department of Health recorded 5,453 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 353 recoveries and 349 deaths.

EDV