Expanded contact tracing starts today

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the rollout and use of rapid antigen testing kits for COVID-19 contact tracing and early detection measures in Negros Occidental has been expanded from 10 to 12 local government units.

Lacson said the three-day expanded contact tracing starts October 9 to 11, 2021 in the cities of Silay, Talisay, La Carlota, Himamaylan and Kabankalan, as well as municipalities of Toboso, Salvador Benedicto, Pulupandan, San Enrique and Binalbagan.

The areas were chosen based on the number of cases and daily attack rate.

The towns of Pontevedra and Hinobaan have requested to be included, he said.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental received an initial of 6,500 testing kits from the Department of Health for the rollout.

Lacson said the kits will be very useful in early detection of possible COVID-infected individuals and enable the provincial government to institute control measures and prevent the rampant spread of the deadly virus that claimed so many lives.

Earlier, the governor issued a memorandum to all local chief executives outlining the guidelines on the roll-out and use of rapid antigen testing kits for the expanded contact tracing and early detection measures.

The Provincial Health Office under Dr. Ernell Tumimbang has been tasked to be the lead implementer of the said activity assisted by the Provincial Incident Management Team.

As of October 9, 2021 Negros Occidental logged 185 new cases, data from the regional DOH showed.

The province is on top  of the list of new cases for October 9 followed by Bacolod City with 120, Iloilo province (71), Iloilo City (65), and Antique (5).