DOH‐6 advises intensi ied contact tracing in WV
The Department of Health 6-Center for Health Development (DOH-6 CHD) said there is a need for intensified contact tracing amid the increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019, or Covid-19, cases in the region.
In a press briefing, Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 regional director, said that the agency has recorded 33 additional Covid-19 cases in Western Visayas (WV), as of June 29.
“Based on the data gathered, there is clustering of cases in St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City and in Alimodian, Iloilo,” she said.
As per DOH-6 Case Bulletin No. 94, issued on June 28, 2020, a total of 26 new confirmed cases in the region were reported, which include six medical doctors at St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo (SPHI). On Monday, two more doctors from SPHI tested positive for coronavirus.
“In light of this recent development, DOH-6 CHD strongly recommends intensified contact tracing, including those who have visited the facility from June 23 to 28,” Convocar said.
She said prioritization of testing among identified contacts should be done following the Department Memorandum 2020-258 or the Updated Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing for Covid-19.
DOH-6 CHD, along with the Iloilo City Health Office and the Regional
Inter-Agency Task Force, also recommended temporary suspension of services for disinfection and decontamination procedures in the health facility.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Alimodian in Iloilo province also recorded 13 new Covid-19 cases, as per DOH-6 Case Bulletin No. 95, issued on June 29. Of the figure, five are health workers and eight are close contacts.
DOH-6 has recommended placing the municipality under enhanced community quarantine starting last Monday.
Evaluation on the effect of the community quarantine on the status of Covid-19 cases will be done on July 3.