DILG-10 gives PPE to 2k contact tracers, to deploy around Normin

REGIONAL department of the interior and local government 10 (DILG-10) today said that some 2,000 contact tracers have been given personal protective equipment (PPE) and ready for deployment anytime in northern Mindanao.

These contact tracers were already trained and be sent to different communities in the region to track down and manage close contacts, and to offer diagnostic, counseling and treatment to confirmed Covid-19 cases, said DILG-10 in a statement.

As of October 15, the department officially hired the total of 1,658 contact tracers, after two of them were backed out.

The hired contact tracers to be deployed are 141 contact tracers in Bukidnon, Camiguin (30), Lanao del Norte (301), Misamis Occidental (216), Misamis Oriental (223), Cagayan de Oro City (475), and Iligan City (278).

DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe said they provided PPEs to the newly hired contact tracers to prioritize their health and safety in their deployment to the field.

“Our contact tracers play a vital role in the COVID-19 detection process to further contain the spread of the virus in our communities, therefore their safety should also be of utmost priority,” said Agabe.

Agabe lauded the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) for their provision of additional face masks, shoe covers, and gloves to augment DILG’s allocation. 

The Department of Health (DOH-10) also committed to supplement and deliver more PPEs, according to Agabe.

Agabe said some LGUs in the province of Lanao del Norte did not only provide their contact tracers with PPEs as they also gave tables and chairs necessary for contact tracing, active surveillance, public health risk assessment, and health education tasks.

The initial distribution is in progress as of Wednesday and it is intended for Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, while for other provinces, PPEs are to be distributed within the week. 

PPEs provided were not limited to face masks, face shields, shoe covers and gloves but they also include sanitizers, thermal scanners, and multivitamins. (Recthie Tolinero/DILG10/PIA10)