The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has boosted the tracking and managing of close contacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients in this city.

Sheila Covarrubias, city information officer, said Thursday the DILG has employed 656 graduates of allied medical course and criminology to serve as contact tracers.

Covarrubias said the newly-hired contact tracers took oath Thursday and will assist the existing three teams of contact tracers of the City Health Office in tracking and managing close contacts of Covid-19 patients.

Dr. Joshua Brillantes, Department of Health assistant regional director, said this city needs more contact tracers as the Covid-19 cases continue to increase.

Before the new ones were hired, Brillantes said the city has the second-lowest number of trained contract tracers in the entire region. (PNA)