MMDA to hire 300 contact tracers amid surge in NCR COVID-19 cases

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will hire 300 contact tracers to help in efforts to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region.

"Our agency, the MMDA, will hire 300 more contact tracers," MMDA chairman Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. said on Tuesday in an interview on ANC.

Abalos said the latest tally of COVID-19 cases in NCR showed a big jump from last month's figures.

"Last February 22, the cases was only 3,767 in Metro Manila. This was the time the mayors voted for MGCQ [modified general community quarantine]. Ang sabi ng Pangulo, 'huwag, gawin munang GCQ [general community quarantine].' March 7, naging 7,031 [cases]. Nakikita mo 'yung dami eh, 'yung numero halos doble," he said.

The OCTA Research Group on Tuesday said the number of daily new COVID-19 cases in NCR may even reach 5,000 by March 31.

Abalos said Metro Manila mayors have agreed to do more contact tracing.

"Metro Manila mayors agreed to enhanced contact tracing and to improve coordination in bringing people to quarantine facilities," he said.

"What we will probably do is get in touch with the contact tracers of DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] na hindi na nakuha. Or get college graduates... I also requested for some more manpower from DILG," Abalos said.

The MMDA chair said mayors also agreed to ensure the strict implementation of health protocols.

"They would  concentrate on this minimum health protocols on each and every local government unit. In short magkakasitahan po rito," he said.

Abalos added that mayors agreed to intensify granular lockdowns when there is clustering of cases.

Meanwhile, Abalos also suggested that protocols involving transportation be reviewed to improve measures against the possible spread of the coronavirus.

"'Yung barriers nila, siguro puwedeng pagandahin ulit. Pangalawa, walang kumukuha ng temperature. So hindi mo alam kung 'yung katabi mo... Ang sa akin lang, baka pupuwede lang, sa terminals bago pumasok, puwedeng makunan ng temperature [ang mga pasahero]," he said.

Abalos said aside from transportation, the house or community and the workplace are factors in COVID-19 transmission.

"Within these we are trying to look at protocols involved," he said.

Abalos advised the public to still follow health protocols and not let their guard down even when eating together.

Fewer Filipinos observed social distancing than wore face masks and face shields, according to a Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research.

Released on Tuesday, the results showed only 67% of Filipinos are observing social distancing, which is lower compared to the 91% who are wearing face masks and 82% who are wearing face shields. —KG, GMA News