On July 12, 2021, the DILG Aurora headed by Atty. Ofelio A. Tactac, Jr. CESO V facilitated the conduct of Provincial Roll-out on Enhancing COVID-19 Tracing Work: Advanced Guide for Local Government and Contact Tracers.
This is to significantly ramp-up the country’s contact tracing program in light with recent increasing trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and in the Province.
The training gave the CTs a review on their knowledge on contact tracing and also on what to expect upon their upcoming takeover as CTs as the DILG - hired CTs' contracts are about to end in a month.
Representatives from the DOH and PNP serve as the pool of speakers and discussed the different modules assigned specifically for the said CT training.
On the orientation, the CTs were retold about their functions and responsibilities such as conducting interviews, profiling, and performing an initial public health risk assessment of COVID-19 cases and their identified close contacts; refering the close contacts to isolation facilities; conducting enhanced contact tracing in collaboration with other agencies and private sectors; conducting daily monitoring of close and general contacts for at least 14 days, and performing such other tasks in relation to the COVID response.
As effective contact tracing remains one of the key public health tools to break the chain of transmission, the activity aimed to provide contact tracers with advanced guidance and practical skills in conducting case investigations, efficient identification and tracking of close contacts, and data management and analysis.
Ms. Rosanna S. Rosell, PN, PHSAE, MCDRM, Regional Epidemiologist from the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 3 addressed the latest developments in the COVID-19 scenario, focusing on the present situation, COVID response tactics, and updates on new variations, during the training.
Likewise, Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong, City Mayor of Baguio City and Contact Tracing Czar, gave a series of presentations on the city's contact tracing system and LGU procedures that aided them immensely in their COVID-19 response.
PLTCOL Armelina S. Manalo of PNP-CIDG, Camp Crame, Quezon City, also gave a talk on cognitive interviewing and a simulation exercise to educate not only contact tracers but all concerned citizens in identifying, assessing, and managing people who have been exposed to the infectious disease and preventing its spread.
The activity was participated in by MLGOOs, DILG Aurora key officials, DILG-hired Contact Tracers, BFP and PNP Officers acting as Contact Tracers as well as the barangays, and members of the BHERTs and LGU volunteers.
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