Over 500 Contact Tracers To Be Hired In CAR

September 15, 2020 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (September 15, 2020) – At least 571 contact tracers will be hired in the highland region to fortify the capacities of local government units against COVID19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced.
“The contact tracers shall augment or form part of the existing Contact Tracing Team (CTT) of a local government unit (LGU),” DILG-Cordillera director Marlo Iringan explained.
“They shall conduct case interviews, profiling and do an initial public health risk assessment of COVID-19 cases and their identified close contacts,” Iringan said.
Though hired contact tracers shall also help in the advocacy campaign to remind people to faithfully follow or comply with the minimum health protocols which are wearing of mask/face shield, social distancing, washing or disinfecting of hands.
The 571 will be distributed to LGUs where there are inadequate number of contact tracers.
Graduates of medical-related courses, criminology, and similar courses will be prioritized in getting contact tracers. They will serve until the end of the year.
Iringan explained that the contact tracers shall be required to undergo training to prepare them for the tasks ahead to include but not limited to: overview of emergency health responses; elements and associated risks of COVID 19; analyzing contact tracing tools and processes; and, cognitive interviewing technique.
Contract tracer applicants are required their letter of intent, duly accomplished Personal Data Sheet (PDS), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance or Police Clearance and drug test result.
At present, contact tracing teams are composite units led by the Municipal/City Health Officers with members from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS), and volunteers from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Artemio A. Dumlao