By Fernan Angeles
FOR the duration of two weeks that Metro Manila and adjoining regions are under modified enhanced community quarantine, the Department of Health (DOH) will trace 37 individuals who have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire hinted on the improved contact-tracing effort as an effective strategy reflective of the strategy done by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who has since been appointed as the country’s COVID-19 testing czar.
“We are going to adapt the RABI model which was adapted from Mumbai (India) where they did house to house and they were able to identify all symptomatic (COVID-19 patients),” Vergeire said in an interview on ANC.
“They were able to test them and their contacts. Somehow, they were able to contain the transmission,” she added.
Interestingly, the DOH hinted on commencing on the new strategy two days after Metro Manila and Region 4A have been placed under MECQ from August 4 to 18.
“There are different officials going on the ground, and together with the local health officials, we will be able to identify symptomatic (COVID-19 patients) in barangays and we will be able to isolate them. We should be able to trace at least 37 persons,” Vergeire said.
Interestingly, the government only has 60,000 contact tracers. The ideal number set by the Department of Health is 180,000.
“We will not wait for patients to come to the system. We will find them,” Vergeire said in another forum.
The government is planning to hire 50,000 more contact tracers, but fund constraint have kept the bay in the absence of funds, which should be provided under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. Congress has yet approved it though.
The Philippines has recorded 112,593 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 66,049 have recovered while 2,115 have died.
There are 44,429 active COVID-19 cases as of August 5.