Philippine contact tracing at 96%; 76% in NCR, says Año

June 1, 2020

The government's capability to conduct contact tracing of possible individuals infected with coronavirus disease is at 96 percent nationwide, while 76 percent in Metro Manila, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said on Monday.

"In our contact tracing ability, we have a good overall performance, which reached already to 96 percent," Año said in a virtual press briefing in Malacañang.

He said in Metro Manila, the contact tracing ability was at 76 percent.

"What does it mean? It means that for 100 positive (COVID-19 cases), we're not able to trace 24 percent," he said.

The DILG chief said the government should focus on these individuals who have not been traced yet.

He acknowledged that the Data Privacy Act in the country has been hampering the government in fully tracing all those who could have contacted with a COVID-19 patient, unlike in Vietnam.

He noted that in Vietnam, all the cases have been announced on television, radio and newspaper.

Because of the restrictions to trace the possible cases, Año underscored the need to continue with the enforcement of quarantine measures.

But he noted the huge improvement in the government's contact tracing.

Metro Manila and a few other areas in the country are under general community quarantine while most parts of the country are under the modified general community quarantine.

In both cases, most businesses have been allowed to operate provided that the minimum health standards are observed. Celerina Monte/DMS