INTER-AGENCY Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has tasked local government units (LGUs) to take the lead in identifying people who may have been in contact with COVID-19 patients.
Following the recommendation of the National Task Force on COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH)-10 even urged LGUs to boost capacity and number of contact tracing teams to step up measures in containing the spread of the virus.
During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, Tuesday, DOH-10 regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said NTF on COVID-19 contact tracing Czar and Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong recommended that there must be designated anti-COVID czars to focus on the strategies on prevention, detection, treatment isolation, and reintegration program of the government.
“Most of the COVID-19 cases are from locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs),” said Suba-an, thus, there are limited close contacts to trace.But Subaan said for areas with increasing numbers of local transmissions like Iligan City, Balingasag in Misamis Oriental, and Linamon and Matungao in Lanao del Norte, there is a need to increase the number of contact tracing teams.
“We should learn from the experience of other areas,” Suba-an said, noting the Baguio City experience as shared by Magalong during their team’s visit on August 19.
The team further suggested to follow the Magalong formula, where 1 positive case should have 37 case findings. LGUs are also urged to capacitate their contact tracing teams with the use of technology in speeding up their job and obtaining accurate information.
Aside from boosting the capacity and number of contact tracing teams in every province and cities, Suba-an said LGUs should also focus on the functionality and quality of work of the contact tracing teams.
With the implementation of the Bayanihan 2, the regional director said the contact tracers will be fairly compensated. “Qualification depends on the commitment and quality of their outputs,” Suba-an added.
Enough healthcare resources including personal protective equipment (PPEs) and testing kits will also be provided under the said act.
As of August 25, there are a total of 1,139 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region, 623 of these have recovered, 18 expired, and 498 are recovering. (Recthie Tolinero/PIA-10)
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