MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will enhance contact tracing efforts on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) once a data-sharing agreement and other necessary processes with the Department of Health (DOH) is completed.
"We are finalizing the data-sharing agreement and processes (with the DOH). Once done, the (contact) tracing will be done in coordination with other agencies and LGUs (local government units)," OCD and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson, Mark Cashean Timbal said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Tuesday.
Data sharing agreement and processes, Timbal said, include "details names and locations" as well as the "circumstances of exposure" that will be shared by OCD and DOH personnel.
"OCD will serve as co-lead with DOH and will work closely with other agencies and the LGUs," Timbal said.
The OCD is the executive arm of the NDRRMC and the implementer of the body's instructions.
The World Health Organization defines contact tracing as closely watching contacts after exposure to an infected person to help the contacts get care and treatment and prevent further transmission of the virus.
Contact tracing involves three basic steps namely contact identification, contact listing, and contact follow-up.
Aside from leading contact-tracing efforts, the OCD is also tasked to prepare an inventory of all the donated medicines and medical supplies to address Covid-19 to the national government under Administrative Order No. 27 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last March 31. (PNA)
