Over 800 more contact tracers were deployed in Metro Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday, as the region continues to battle a surge in COVID-19 infections.
Of the total 802 newly-deployed contact tracers, 362 are from the Philippine National Police, and 100 are from the Bureau of Fire Protection, DILG spokesperson Usec. Jonathan Malaya said. The contact tracers were distributed to different local government units in the capital region.
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Regional police offices outside of Metro Manila were also tasked to assign at least 20 of their personnel to do remote contact tracing for the capital region, Malaya said.
“The Police Regional Offices will be assigned to each of the LGUs and they will help in making calls and monitoring the status of COVID positives,” he said.
The fresh batch of contact tracers is in addition to the 300 personnel to be deployed by the Metro Manila Development Authority. Metro Manila LGUs are also hiring their own contact tracers, Malaya said.
Based on data from the DILG, the National Capital Region currently has 9,386 contact tracers with Manila City having the most personnel at 2,675.
Metro Manila this week began its two-week uniform curfew to limit foot traffic outdoors in a bid to curb the spread of the virus that is threatening economic recovery.
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