WITH thousands of passengers possibly involved, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said conducting contact tracing of commuters who were exposed to personnel of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be a challenge.
In a virtual press briefing, Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it will be a tall task for the government to conduct contact tracing.
“One principle in epidemiology is when there is already widespread community transmission, contact tracing will not work anymore. Just like what happened with the MRT,” said Vergeire, adding: “We are not denying it, it is really a challenge for us.”
On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is coordinating with the DOH on how to properly undertake contact tracing of passengers who had exposure to 16 ticket sellers assigned to different MRT3 stations.
The ticket sellers are among the 198 MRT-3 personnel who tested positive for COVID-19. The MRT-3 management has suspended its operations as it subjects all of its personnel — both depot and station workers — to rapid testing.
Vergeire said the DOH has already adopted alternative measures to identify probable cases of COVID-19.
First is for the MRT management to identify the stations and shifts of the ticket sellers who tested positive for COVID-19.
“This is so that people will voluntarily isolate themselves whenever they have symptoms or experience symptoms,” she said.
“(Also), they would voluntarily call the hotlines of DOH so we will be able to identify them, and we would be able to continue on with our contact tracing,” Vergeire added.
The MRT-3 management announced on Tuesday the work assignments and time schedules of the 16 ticket sellers.
According to records of the MRT-3, the working shifts of the ticket sellers from North Avenue station were 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while ticket sellers from Quezon Avenue were scheduled from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Ticket sellers from the GMA-Kamuning station worked from 4:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while those who worked at the Cubao station were on duty from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Vergeire said temporarily shutting down MRT operations is also a good measure to prevent further spread of the virus.
As to the recommendation of University of the Philippines (UP) experts to conduct mass randomized testing when the MRT resumes operations, Vergeire was cold to the idea.
She said this is because such an endeavor would be “resource intensive” considering the limited testing kits of the government.
“It’s resource intensive. I don’t know if our health system will be able to handle such an activity. How long can we really do randomized testing?” said Vergeire.
She said the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the MRT reopens is for everyone to practice minimum health standards.
“We must enforce our minimum health standards, not just by MRT employees, but also those riding the public transport,” said Vergeire.
FLIGHTS
The Department of Interior and Local Government urged the public not to proceed to the airport if they have no confirmed flights yet, warning they will end up frustrated due to quarantine protocols.
“Going to the airport without a confirmed flight or ticket is a waste of energy and time and will just lead to frustration,” DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.
Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) have been flocking to the airport over the pass weeks in their desire to return home. Many of them ended up at facilities of the Army and Air Force as they cannot be accommodated by commercial flights.
Malaya urged the public to first call airlines before proceeding to the airport to determine if their flights are confirmed.
“Mapapagod lang po kayo sa biyahe at masasayang ang pera ninyo at mauuwi lang po ito sa wala (You will just end up tired because of the travel, waste your money and your effort will just be wasted),” he said.
Malaya reminded travelers that all tickets purchased prior to the COVID-19 crisis have been cancelled by the airlines and will have to be rebooked. Also, he said walk-in customers will not be able to purchase tickets at the airports as all flights are regulated.
All individuals with cancelled flights will be denied entry at the airports, Malaya also said.
“Even if you were issued a ticket by the airline, you will have to confirm that prior to going to the airport because there may have been some changes in flight schedules. Moreover, all tickets issued prior to the pandemic are cancelled and will not be honored by airport authorities,” said Malaya. — With Victor Reyes