Albay town pours all into contact tracing after nurse in vaccine program tests positive for coronavirus
LEGAZPI CITY – The municipal government of Oas town in Albay province would use all its resources for contact tracing after a nurse, who went around town to administer vaccines last week, tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday (June 9).
Free rides have also been suspended as the four vehicles used for the program would be used for faster contact tracing, said Mayor Domingo Escoto on Wednesday (June 10).
He said the nurse, who works at the rural health unit, showed no symptoms and was part of an immunization program carried out in the town from June 3 to 5.
“The horizon of the contact tracing that we need to do is wide,” Escoto said.
He said the health team that administered vaccines but included the infected nurse had gone to many villages.
The mayor did not specify how many villages would be under investigation, but he said that more vehicles were needed.
The town also asked for the help of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team and the Philippine National Police.
The mayor said he didn’t have details about the vaccination program “but it was for children and babies.”
According to him, the nurse was able to give vaccines to at least 41 persons.
The 30-year-old nurse had also been assigned to the quarantine facility at the village hall of Busac, according to Dr. Antonio Ludovice, Albay provincial health office chief.
Escoto said those who came in close contact with the nurse would undergo tests, too.
He said the town has received 300 coronavirus testing kits.
Balogo village, where the patient resides, would also be placed on lockdown, Escoto said.
Albay province has a total number of 61 COVID-19 cases as of late Wednesday afternoon. Throughout Bicol, a total of 80 cases have been recorded.
Edited by TSB
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