PNP: Cops ready to function as contact tracers amid threat of Delta variant

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday expressed readiness for the police force to act as additional contract tracers amid the fight against the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“Kami naman sa PNP ay handang tumulong kung kailangan ng mga karagdagang contact tracers lalo na ngayon na may binabantayan tayong COVID-19 Delta variant,” Eleazar said in a statement.

(We at the PNP are ready to help if additional contact tracers are needed, especially now that we are monitoring the COVID-19 Delta variant.)

“We will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Health so we can determine how many additional contact tracers are needed,” he added.

Eleazar said this after the country detected 35 COVID-19 Delta variant cases, 11 of which tagged as local cases.

The PNP chief said he already tasked different units to be on standby and prepare for the “worst case scenario” brought by the threat of the Delta variant.

He also urged the public to continue strictly following minimum public health protocols to avoid COVID-19 infection.

As of July 20, the country has tallied a total of 1,517,903 COVID-19 cases, with 46,806 active cases, 1,444,253 recoveries, and 26,844 deaths. — Sofia Vertucio, INQUIRER trainee

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