Gov’t hires over 73K contact tracers, but still 9K short of target

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has already hired over 73,000 contact tracers as part of the government’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Last June, the government said it is targeting to hire 82,537 contact tracers.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum the DILG stated that it has already hired 73,306 contact tracers nationwide, based on its accomplishment report.

The number is only 9,231 short of its target number.

He said through the increased number of contact tracers “there have been 207, 204 close contacts (with COVID-19 positive individuals) who have been traced and assessed.”

“The government’s contact tracing efforts are ongoing and there is still ongoing recruitment nationwide,” he said.

He said the number of contact tracers that can be hired could still increase further once the Bayanihan 2 Bill becomes a law.

EDV

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.