PNP to boost contact tracers to 150,000

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be tapped to significantly increase the number of contact tracers nationwide, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The PNP leadership has agreed to train police officers to serve as contact tracers, adopting the successful model implemented in Baguio City by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the designated national 'tracing czar'.

This initiative aims to raise the total number of contact tracers from 77,000 to 150,000, with LGUs hiring additional tracers while police officers will perform the task without additional remuneration.

The move comes as the country grapples with rising COVID-19 cases, prompting the declaration of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal.

Roque noted that spikes in COVID-19 cases are a global concern, with reports suggesting the virus may have mutated to become more infectious.

Despite potential increased infectivity, the Philippines maintains a very low mortality rate, with an overwhelming majority of cases being asymptomatic or mild.

The government is expanding critical care capacity by building more ICU beds and hiring additional health workers, particularly nurses, to support areas under MECQ.

To further increase testing capacity and reduce costs, the government is pilot testing pool testing in Makati City, where groups of five to 10 individuals will share one PCR test kit.