DILG to LGUs: Set up COVID-19 swabbing, testing centers; sustain contact-tracing

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reminded local government units (LGUs) to establish swabbing and testing centers to sustain the government’s efforts to stop the further spread of the coronavirus disease.

“The DILG Secretary (Eduardo Año) said LGUs should continue to put up swabbing centers and testing centers in partnership with hospital and medical care institutions,” read the agency’s statement issued on Wednesday.

The interior department also directed local governments to establish more quarantine facilities to isolate suspected carriers of the coronavirus disease.

Año, meanwhile, said LGUs should have contact tracing teams to locate close contacts of patients infected with the respiratory ailment.

“Local governments from the provincial down to the barangay level have a big role to play in our Covid-19 battle.  Kailangan nating palakasin ang ating kapasidad para maging patas ang laban sa ating invisible na kaaway  (We need to increase our capacity so that we can sustain the fight against an invisible enemy),” the DILG chief said.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Health has recorded 11,350 confirmed COVID-19 cases including 751 fatalities and 2,106 recoveries.

/MUF