Information gathered from gossipmongers in Cebu City is being eyed to boost contact tracing efforts amid the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The suggestion came from Central Visayas Police Regional Office Dir. PBGen. Albert Ignatius Ferro. Information supplied by gossipmongers will be used to identify contacts of confirmed cases.
“Ang neighborhood watch, like ‘yung mga magkakapit-bahay ay makakatulong dahil sila ay nakakaalam sa mga kapitbahay nila kung ano yung nangyayari sa kapaligiran nila, (The neighborhood watch, it’s like neighbors helping out because they know what is happening in their environment) and this could be done through the sharing of information with the authorities,” Ferro explained.
“Nagsimula na po tayo dito sa Cebu mag-conduct ng training sa mga BBTC (Barangay-Based Contact Tracers) para mas mapadali at isa lang ‘yung tono (We have started to conduct the training of BBTC in Cebu for faster [tracing] and for a uniform tone),” he added.
The Central Visayas Police clarified that it is voluntary and will only serve as additional resources for authorities.
The Department of Health (DOH) has reminded that the protocols in gathering information must still be followed.
“So itong sinabi ng PNP Region 7 Director, ito lang siguro ‘yung para mas mapaigting pa nila ‘yung contact tracing efforts nila at magkaroon pa sila ng mas maraming tao. (What the PNP Region 7 Director mentioned was just meant to boost their contact tracing efforts and have more people to help). We are all aligned and we are all guided by different policies,” DOH. USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire explained.
Data from the DILG show there are currently 73,985 contact tracers in the country but the government is aiming to increase it to 120,000.
Meanwhile, the WHO urged that the release of COVID-19 test results from laboratories be fast-tracked for faster identification of contacts. Based on the turnaround time of test results, private hospitals are faster in terms of releasing results compared to public hospitals.
The DOH advised that there is no need to wait for tests before isolating an individual. “Once nakita na natin ‘yung tao, at sila ay alam natin na may sintomas sila, i-isolate na natin sila, ite-test natin sila, ite-trace natin ang contacts nila (Once we see symptoms manifesting in them, we isolate them, we test them, and we trace their contacts).”
The DOH also reported that as of July 24, there are 76,444 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 24,502 recoveries, and1,879 deaths nationwide
– Report from Mark Fetalco
