As cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) increase in Pasay City, its local goverment has stepped up contact tracing efforts among high-risk communities.

Among the villages in Pasay city under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are barangay number 28, 29, 32, 40, 57, 58, 66, 68, 71, 76, 81, 95, 98, 100, 107, 109, 118, 122, 132, 135, 136, 143, 155, 156, 159, 162, 175, 177, 178, 183, 190, 192, 201, 171, 7, 8, 14, 20, 26, 36, 51, 59, 65, 74, 90, 96, 99, 110, 111, 116, 131, 161, 188, 193, and 194.

Pasay City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Miko Llorca said that the localized community quarantine will only be imposed in streets and households with a high risk of Covid-19 infections.

“Each barangay will be placed under localize ECQ if they recorded more than three Covid cases,” he added.

Pasay City recorded additional 83 new cases last Feb 18 while last Feb. 20, it increased by over 100.

In an online meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano said the city government has increased its effort to control the spike of Covid-19 cases in the city.

Rubiano also requested the IATF for additional nurses and contract tracers to expand the city’s contact tracing efforts.

“We need more personnel and equipment such as health kits and personal protective gear to conduct a city-wide contact tracing activity,” Rubiano said. “We need to have the victims, friends and relatives tested.”

“Tests are carried out even during holidays and weekends,” he added.

BY KHALID MANGONDATO