Contact tracing teams dispatched to Bontoc, Mountain Province have so far identified more than 600 contacts of the 12 Covid-19 UK variant cases in the town.
Department of Health-Cordillera Director Ruby Constantino said the teams have identified 645 first, second, and third generation contacts of the 12 individuals whose Covid-19 test results showed traces of the BII7, or the UK variant.
First generation contacts are the close contacts of the original infection while second generation are the close contacts of the first generation whose close contacts are classified as the third generation.
The contact tracing teams have identified 243 first generation contacts, 291 second generation, and 111 third generation contacts.
Out of those contacts traced, 39 have tested positive for the Covid-19 of which six samples were sent to the Philippine Genome Center to determine if they have traces of the more infectious variant.
Constantino said only the six samples were sent to the Genome Center since they met the criteria for genome sequencing.
There are about 60 contact tracers dispatched in Bontoc, 40 of whom are augmentation from DOH regions 1, 2, and 3.
Since the detection of the UK variant in Bontoc, massive swab testing has been rolled out in the capital town and in nearby Sagada.
Constantino said 1,473 have so far undergone the swab tests on Jan. 26 and 27 of which 1,159 are from Bontoc and 314 are from Sagada.
The number of individuals undergoing swab tests is expected to increase as aggressive testing continues with the help of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
As of Jan. 28, Mountain Province has logged 700 cases, of which 199 are active or admitted in hospitals and isolation facilities and three are deaths.
Those availing of the massive swab tests are advised to undergo quarantine while waiting for the results, which are released within 24 to 48 hours. – Jane B. Cadalig
October 4, 2023
