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Leyte town rolls out automated contact tracing system

By Gerico Sabalza

July 28, 2020, 4:06 pm

<p><strong>AUTOMATED TRACKING.</strong> Local officials during a dry run of the Automated Contact Tracing System (ACTS) to be implemented soon in Sogod, Southern Leyte in this July 24, 2020 photo. The local government on Tuesday (July 28, 2020) said ACTS was proposed and designed by the College of Computer Studies and Information Technology of the Southern Leyte State University to fast-track the contact tracing of individuals who might have contact with coronavirus disease 2019 carriers. <em>(Photo courtesy of Alex Bacalla)</em></p>

AUTOMATED TRACKING. Local officials during a dry run of the Automated Contact Tracing System (ACTS) to be implemented soon in Sogod, Southern Leyte in this July 24, 2020 photo. The local government on Tuesday (July 28, 2020) said ACTS was proposed and designed by the College of Computer Studies and Information Technology of the Southern Leyte State University to fast-track the contact tracing of individuals who might have contact with coronavirus disease 2019 carriers. (Photo courtesy of Alex Bacalla)

TACLOBAN CITY – The local government of Sogod in Southern Leyte has ordered all the establishments and offices operating in the town to implement the automated contact tracing system (ACTS) to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Mayor Imelda Tan, in a statement on Tuesday, said representatives of each establishment must personally register at the town hall, the local police station, or the office of the Department of Information and Communications Technology in Sogod.

“Contact tracing is a crucial control measure in fighting against infectious diseases such as coronavirus. Presently, major establishments here are requiring individuals to log their names, addresses, contact numbers before entering the building, establishment, or store, but the said procedure is tedious, time-consuming, and poses a greater risk to virus exposure,” she said.

Meanwhile, all persons residing within or outside Sogod may register at https://ccsiteedu.ph/contact/tracing/signup or in the designated offices for the activation of QR code.

“Those who registered online must visit the designated offices with their quarantine pass and a valid identification card for the approval and issuance of the unique QR code,” Tan said.

The digital solution designed to fast-track the contact tracing process through automation was proposed by the College of Computer Studies and Information Technology of the Southern Leyte State University, she added.

The local government said establishments that will fail to register will face non-renewal of their business permits upon the recommendation of the treasurer’s office to the mayor.

On the other hand, individuals with no QR codes will not be allowed to enter establishments and avail of basic goods and services in Sogod.

Registration of establishments in ACTS is from July 28-29 while the issuance of QR codes starts on July 30, the local government said. (PNA)

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