Pasay, Valenzuela upgrade contact tracing efforts

MANILA, Philippines — The cities of Pasay and Valenzuela in Metro Manila have upgraded their contact tracing efforts of individuals with COVID-19.

In a statement on Saturday, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano said the city had launched a QR code system for residents so that those entering commercial establishments would be able to give a real-time update for contact tracing.

The information gathered through the contact tracing app will be managed by Pasay’s Contact Tracing Command Center (CTCC). The QR code tracks down residents’ time of entry in an establishment and gives information on their health status.

According to Rubiano, said the contact tracing app is contactless and requires a one-time registration to avoid duplicate accounts.

The app will also help trace close contacts, especially if the resident is infected with the coronavirus disease.

In Valenzuela, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said a Mega Contact Tracing Center at City Hall had started operating. The center has 100 people employed as data encoders, contact tracers, and disease surveillance officers.

The facility follows a call center set-up with the staff accepting calls about contact tracing queries.

Gatchalian assured the public that employees of the center, which is open 24/7, are trained and competent to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

“This job needs emotion in gathering the right information from the patients. Think of the patient as a member of your family. You should treat your patient as you want to be treated,” he said in Filipino.

[atm]