Latest data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) show that there are now 5,215 contact tracing teams composed of 69,098 contact tracers nationwide.
A total of 161, 975 individuals have also been traced to have had close contact with 47,474 out of 48,371 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The department previously said it plans to add 50,000 more contact tracers in its count.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Aῆo said Baguio City Mayor and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong has started to help in the government’s contact tracing efforts and has already shared his knowledge with LGU officials in the NCR, Region 4A, and Cebu City.
“Sa mga meetings namin sa IATF at saka sa mga LGUs ay lagi siyang kasama. Ilang meetings na ang talagang siya iyong pinaka nagbibigay ng kaalaman kung paano naging successful iyong contact tracing method sa Baguio City (He always joins AITF and LGU meetings. He is really the one who gives information on how the contact tracing method in Baguio City became successful),” Aῆo shared.
Aside from additional contact tracers, the NTF Against COVID-19 is also aiming to establish proper contact tracing among LGUs.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said good contact tracing can support the expanded targeted testing of the government.
“Kung mas marami pong mate-trace, kinakailangang ma-test po sila agad. Sabi nga po ni Sec. Dizon maaabot po natin ang 10 million tests by 2021 (If we trace more, they must be tested immediately. Sec. Dizon said we can reach 10 million tests by 2021),” Duque said. – Patrick de Jesus
