REGIONAL NEWS

DILG-13 ORIENTS 2,500 NEW CONTACT TRACERS

To intensify the contact tracing efforts in the Caraga Region, more than 2,500 newly hired contact tracers have attended the simultaneous orientation conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Caraga in this city and other provinces.

By Venus L. Garcia “If we have a large number of contact tracers, we can also speed up the identification of close contacts,” said director Charissa Guerta of the DILG-Butuan City. Upon identifying the close contacts of the persons who tested positive of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the contact tracers will then immediately notify them of the necessary isolation or quarantine protocol. “They will start with their services very soon. They will sign the contract of service for contact tracers for immediate deployment,” said DILGCaraga regional director

Lilibeth Famacion. Given the extent of exposure and risk among these contact tracers, Famacion assured the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment. They will take charge of the conduct of interviews, profiling, and perform an initial public health risk assessment of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts. “This will be our way of giving service to the government, the people. We are here to assist in the contact tracing efforts and to fast track the identification of those who are exposed to the virus,” said Haydee Elen, contact tracer. Raul Cuenca, Jr., also a contact tracer, underscored the essence of ‘Bayanihan’ where everyone has to do something to help avert COVID-19 transmission. Famacion also reminded the residents to strictly practice the minimum public health standard and to remain in their residences at all times, except when buying essentials and doing vital transactions. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)