30 swabbers deployed in different baragays

CEBU, Philippines —  After the training of the core members of Cebu City’s contact tracing teams, close to 30 swabbers have also been trained and are now deployed as part of the Emergency Operation Center’s (EOC) aggressive contact tracing efforts.

The swabbers underwent training with the Department of Health (DOH).

After the training, they met with EOC officials and contact tracing teams last Friday to discuss coordination mechanisms, as well as address emerging issues and concerns in the field.

IATF’s deputy implementer for the Visayas, retired Gen. Mel Feliciano, said the swabbers will play a crucial role in the city's battle against COVID-19.

Earlier, Feliciano had said they are looking at forming 130 contact tracing teams to finally contain the spread of the virus in Cebu City.

"Because we will have massive contact tracing, dadami ang isa-swab natin. Before, we only had five contact tracing teams, so talagang nagkaroon ng backlog. Bibilis ang sistema natin ngayon because of your presence," said Feliciano.

"With each passing day na hindi tayo nakakapag-contact trace at swab, talagang mahirap ma-contain ang virus. Now, we have a fighting chance," he added.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer for operations of the EOC-Cebu City, has emphasized that contact tracers and swabbers should develop good rapport to produce timely and accurate data.

"Time is very vital here. The contact tracers should give the swabbers the list of persons to be swabbed at the soonest possible time," Garganera said.

Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Public Safety and Security Alexander Macario has committed the full support of his agency should the swabbers and contact tracers encounter difficulties in dealing with barangay officials.

"If there are uncooperative barangay officials, file an incident report so we can issue them a Show Cause Order," Macario said.  GAN (FREEMAN)