FILE PHOTO: This undated transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, also known as novel coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. NIAID-RML/Handout via REUTERS.
BACOLOD CITY – At least 12 local governments in Negros Occidental will be joining the three-day expanded contact tracing and early detection drive through rapid antigen testing starting October 9 to 11.
According to Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, provincial consultant on economic affairs, the program was initially set to cover 10 local governments but was expanded to 12.
Among those that will be covered by the expanded contact tracing drive are the cities of Silay, Talisay, La Carlota, Himamaylan and Kabankalan, and the municipalities of Toboso, Salvador Benedicto, Pulupandan, San Enrique and Binalbagan.
The towns of Pontevedra and Hinoba-an requested to be included.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued a memorandum to all local chief executives outlining the guidelines on the roll-out and use of rapid antigen testing kits for the expanded contact tracing and early detection measures.
In a Zoom meeting with the mayors and the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT), the governor discussed the roll out mechanisms.
He announced that the provincial government received 6,500 testing kits from the Department of Health.
These test kits will be very useful in early detection of possible COVID-infected individuals and in effect, will enable the provincial government to institute control measures and prevent the rampant spread of the deadly virus that claimed so many lives, Lacson said.