l\epubltc of the llbtIippines

&upreme QCourt
C!&ffice of tbe QCourt ~ministrator
:fflantIa

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 189-2022

TO ALL JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL OF THE FIRST

AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS

RE AMENDED HEALTH GUIDELINES ON COVID-19 CASES

Taking into consideration the latest Department Memorandum No.

2022-0013 (Updated Guidelines on Quarantine, Isolation, and Testing for
COVID-19 Response and Case Management for the Omicron Variant) issued
by the Department of Health (DOH) on 14 January 2022, there is a need to
amend the existing health guidelines for the first and second level courts as
contained in OCA Circular No.1 0 1-2020 (Health Guidelines due to COVID-
19 Cases) dated 30 June 2020, particularly on the period of lockdowns due
to confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases, as well as the
corresponding directives relative thereto.

In view thereof, all the first and second level courts, as well as the
judicial offices therein, shall be guided by the following:

1. Judges and court personnel who will be tested positive for the
COVID-19 virus via rapid antibody-based test kits (Antigen) shall
immediately undergo a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR) to confirm the presence of the virus. As the RT-PCR test still
remains as the gold standard in confirming the presence of the COVID-19
virus, no court may be placed on lockdown without an RT-PCR test result
with a positive finding.

2. Once the confirmatory RT-PCR test yields a positive result, a

copy thereof must immediately be submitted to the concerned Deputy Court
Administrator/Assistant Court Administrator (DCA! ACA) who will
determine whether or not there is an actual COVID-19 case in the exposed
court/judicial office, and if a lockdown is in order. In this regard, the
exposed court must likewise submit a report directly to the concerned
DCA/ACA disclosing, among others, the last day that the infected
judge/personnel physically reported for work as this information is vital in
evaluating the situation and m issuing the corresponding directives to
address the same.

3. Considering that the majority of the population is now

vaccinated and/or have been given booster shots, and the severity of the
effects of the COVID-19 virus upon those infected has been noted to be
significantly less compared to recorded cases in 2020 and 2021, and further
taking into account the latest issuances of the Department of Health (DOH)
and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases (IATF) on our present COVID-19 situation, a
court/judicial office with a confirmed COVID-19 case should be closed for
not more than seven (7) calendar days and shall immediately be
disinfected.

4. In case of a lockdown, the exposed court/judicial office should

still be accessed or reached through its hotline number and/or official PI 365
email address during the lockdown period.

5. As much as possible, and if the judge of the exposed court is

found negative for the virus, videoconferencing hearings should still
be conducted for cases already set during the lockdown period.

6. In order to carry out the directives of the concerned DCA/ ACA

with respect to the confirmed COVID-19 case in a particular court/judicial
office, a memorandum should be issued on the matter by the concerned
Executive Judge, or Presiding Judge for single-sala courts, as notice to the
public, copy furnished the concerned DCA/ ACA and the SC PIO, the latter
at its judiciary account (pio.sc@judiciary.gov.ph), using the official PI 365
account.

7. The court/judicial office lockdown of not more than 7 days,

however, is without prejudice to the respective isolation and quarantine
periods of infected individuals and their close contacts as prescribed in DOH
Memorandum Order No. 2022-0013 I .

8. For confirmed COVID-19 cases in the first and second level

courts, contact-tracing must still be conducted in accordance with DOH
Department Memorandum No. 2020-0189 (Updated Guidelines on Contact
Tracing of Close Contacts of Confirmed Coronavirus Disease [COVID-19)
Cases) dated 17 April 2020.

9. Regardless of whether the COVID-19 results are based on

Antigen or RT-PCR tests, the same must immediately and directly reported
to the concerned DCA/ ACA for proper disposition.

1 See Annex A (Summary of Updated Quarantine and Isolation Protocols) of DOH Memorandum Order
No. 2022-0013, p 6.

2
 10. All Executive Judges in multi-sala courts and Presiding Judges
of single-sal a courts shall continue to ensure that compliance with the
minimum health standards are strictly observed within their respective
stations, without prejudice to whatever additional health and safety measures
that they may impose in their respective jurisdictions, taking into account the
latest DOH and IATF issuances and those issued by the Court relative to the
prevailing COVID-19 situation.

11. Whenever disinfection activities will be conducted by the

concerned LGU on a court/judicial office or station, the same shall be with
the prior clearance from the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) and, as
much as possible, to be undertaken beginning 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon
of the scheduled date to avoid disrupting court operations, unless otherwise
allowed by the OCA for such disinfection to be done at a different time.

12. Any action that may be taken by the courts/judicial offices due
to COVID-19 (e.g. court lockdown, work from home or modified work
arrangement, physically reporting to the court/judicial office during the
lockdown period, etc.) must first be cleared with the OCA.

13. All other previous related issuances, including OCA Circular

No. 101-2020, which are inconsistent with or contrary to this Circular, are
hereby deemed repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. All other
provisions of existing issuances not affected by this Circular shall remain
valid and in effect.

F or the strict compliance and observance of all concerned .

•..

21 July 2022

3
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Republic of the Philippines

Department of Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

January 14,2022

DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
No. 2022· {?Q 13

TO: ALL UNDERSECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES;

DIRECTORS OF BUREAUS AND CENTERS FOR HEALTH
DEVELOPMENT (CHD); MINISTER OF HEALTH· BANGSAMORO
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (MOH-
BARMM); CHIEFS OF MEDICAL CENTERS. HOSPITALS,
SANITARIA AND INSTITUTES; DOH ATTACHED AGENCIES AND
INSTITUTIONS AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT: Updated Guidelines on Quarantine. Isolation. and TestinK for COVID-19

Response and Case Management for the Omicron Variant

I. BACKGROUND

The presence of a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant, Omicron, highlights the need
for adaptive changes to ensure continued availability of health and essential services.
Because mass vaccination has significantly reduced the individual's chances of getting
severe disease and dying, our policies and guidelines on testing, quarantine and isolation
are being updated to reflect the current state of information and achieve a favorable
risk-benefit ratio.

Based on the current Omicron situation and updated recommendations from the Philippine
COVID-19 Living Recommendations and Department of Health (DOH) Technical
Advisory Group (TAG), these guidelines are hereby issued to update protocols for
isolation, quarantine and testing for COVID-19 across all age groups, as stipulated in the
provisions of Department Memorandum No. 2020-0512 "Revised Omnibus Interim
Guidelines on Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration Strategies for
COVID-19" that were reiterated in the DOH Administrative Order No. 2021-0043
"Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of
Institutions". However, this does not preclude the DOH to revert to previously issued
protocols and issue necessary updated guidelines based on current evidences and trends.

II. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

A. QUARANTINE OF ASYMPTOMATIC CLOSE CONTACTS

I. Fully vaccinated asymptomatic close contacts of individuals with symptoms, suspect,

probable, or confirmed cases shall quarantine for at least 5 days from the date of the
last exposure. Quarantine can be discontinued at the end of the set quarantine period if
they have remained asymptomatic during the whole recommended quarantine period
regardless if testing has been done and resulted negative.

Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, S18. Cruz, 1003 Manila. Trunk Line 651-7800 local 1Il3, 1108, 1135
Direct Lute: 711-9502; 711-9503 Fall: 743-1829. URL: htlp:l/www.doh.gov.ph; e-mail: ftdYllue@dob ¥oy ph
 2. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated asymptomatic close contacts of individuals with
symptoms, suspect, probable, or confirmed cases shall quarantine for at least 14 days
from the date of the last exposure. Quarantine can be discontinued at the end of the set
quarantine period if they have remained asymptomatic during the whole
recommended quarantine period regardless if testing has been done and resulted
negative.

3. All asymptomatic close contacts shall not be required testing unless symptoms will
develop, and should immediately isolate regardless oftest results.

4. All asymptomatic close contacts shall conduct symptom monitoring for at least 14
days, regardless of shortened quarantine period. They shall strictly observe minimum
public health standards, including physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette,
and wearing of masks, among others, regardless of vaccination status.

5. Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees (IPCC), Health Offices from
Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities coordinated
with their corresponding hospital [PCC, and other sectors authorized by the lATF with
strict industry regulations on infection prevention and control (IPC) shall be
authorized to implement further shortening of quarantine duration up to 0 days for
their fully vaccinated workers with boosters who are close contacts based on the
institution's individualized risk and needs assessment.

6. Intensive contact tracing and testing of asymptomatic close contacts are not
recommended priority interventions in areas with large scale community transmission.

B. ISOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SYMPTOMS AND SUSPECT,

PROBABLE, AND CONFIRMED CASES

1. All asymptomatic and fully vaccinated confirmed cases, shall isolate for at least 7
days from sample collection date. Isolation can be discontinued without the need for
repeat testing, provided they have remained asymptomatic during the whole
recommended isolation period. If symptoms develop within or after the prescribed
period, the individual shall complete the required days of isolation depending on the
severity of symptoms.

2. All asymptomatic and partially vaccinated or unvaccinated confirmed cases, shall

isolate for at least 10 days from sample collection date. Isolation can be discontinued
without the need for repeat testing, provided they have remained asymptomatic during
the whole recommended isolation period. If symptoms develop within or after the
prescribed period, the individual shall complete the required days of isolation
depending on the severity of symptoms.

3. All individuals with symptoms and suspect, probable, and confirmed cases presenting
with mild symptoms, including individuals under priority groups A2 and A3 who are
fully vaccinated, shall isolate for at least 7 days from onset of sj~s and symptoms.
Isolation can be discontinued without the need for repeat testing upon completion of
the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24

2
• I

hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of
respiratory signs and symptoms.

4. All individuals with symptoms and suspect, probable, and confirmed cases presenting
with mild symptoms, including individuals under priority groups A2 and A3 who are
partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, shall isolate for at least 10 days from onset of
signs and symptoms. Isolation can be discontinued without the need for repeat testing
upon completion of the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have
fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall
have improvement of respiratory signs and symptoms.

5. All individuals with symptoms and suspect, probable, and confirmed cases presenting
with moderate symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, shall be isolated for at least
10 days from onset ofsi&J1s and symptoms. Isolation can be discontinued without the
need for repeat testing upon completion of the recommended isolation period,
provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any
antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and
symptoms.

6. An individuals with symptoms and suspect, probable, and confirmed cases presenting
with severe and critical symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, shall be isolated
for at least 21 days from onset of signs and symptoms. Isolation can be discontinued
without the need for repeat testing upon completion of the recommended isolation
period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of
any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and
symptoms.

7. All symptomatic immunocompromised confirmed cases, as outlined below, shall be

isolated for at least 21 days from onset of signs and symptoms, regardless of
vaccination status. These shall include patients with:
a. Autoimmune disease
b. HIV
c. Cancer! malignancy
d. Undergoing steroid treatment
e. Transplant patients, and
f. Patients with poor prognosis or bed-ridden.

Isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the recommended isolation period,

provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any
antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and
symptoms. Repeat RT-PCR testing shall also be recommended for this group. If
results tum out negative, they may be discharged from isolation. If results tum out
positive, refer to an Infectious Disease Specialist who may issue clearance and
discharge if warranted.

8. Hospital IPeC, city and provincial health offices coordinated with provincial or city
HIPCC, and other sectors authorized by the IATF with strict industry regulations on
IPC shall be authorized to implement further shortening of isolation protocols up to 5
.Qm for their fully vaccinated workers with boosters who are suspect, probable, and

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confirmed cases whether asymptomatic, mild, or moderate, based on the institution's

individualized risk and needs assessment.

9. Repeat testing nor medical certification is not required for the safe reintegration into
the community, except for immunocompromised individuals. Time based isolation is
sufficient provided the affected individual remains asymptomatic.

c. TESTING PRIORITIZATION

1. Testing, especially using RT-PCR, shall be recommended and prioritized for instances
where the result of testing will affect the clinical management. Specifically, this will
include those who are at risk for developing severe disease such as Priority Groups
A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities).

2. Testing, especially using RT-PCR, shall also be recommended and prioritized for
groups at highest risk for infection such as Priority Group A 1 or healthcare workers
as deemed necessary.

3. Testing using Antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals
and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued
guidelines.

4. Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above, including for community
level actions wherein case management of probable and confirmed cases remain the
same. Specifically:
a. Testing shall NOT be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts. Instead,
symptom monitoring is recommended. Should testing still be used, testing should
be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure.
b. Testing shall NOT be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals.

5. All government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as private sectors are

recommended to align with the updated guidelines on quarantine, isolation, and
testing for COVID-19 response consistent with the new policy directions.
Implementation of the updated testing policy with regards to other agency's
guidelines shall take effect as indicated there.

D. HOME QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION

1. Department Circular 2022-0002 "Advisory on COVID-19 Protocols for Quarantine

and Isolation" provisions on home quarantine and isolation for individuals with no
symptoms, mild symptoms, and moderate symptoms and for step-down management
are further clarified that in extreme circumstances (e.g. unavailability ofTTMFs, and
multiple household members are infected with no single rooms available), individuals
who are suspected of COVID-19 may be placed together in a shared room provided
that the bed shall be spaced at least 2 meters apart, with proper ventilation, and
temporary partitions to ensure patient privacy shall be placed between them.

2. To ensure promotion of their psychosocial well-being, individuals in quarantine and

isolation are recommended to maintain and continue lines of communication to family

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'., I
" , ,, ,

and friends. They may also download the DOH Lusog-Isip Mobile Application for
free (available in both Apple store or Google play store) or access the National Center
for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline or the DOH Regional Helplines (See
Annex C) for mental health and psychosocial support concerns.

3. All quarantined and isolated individuals, including locally stranded individuals, are
recommended to be quarantined or isolated in the area in which they are located
instead of being transported to outside of their area of origin to undergo quarantine or
isolation.

III. REPEALING CLAUSE

DOH OM 2020-0258 and 0258-A "Updated Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing

for COVID-19", OM 2020-0512 "Revised Omnibus Interim Guidelines on
Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration Strategies for
COVID-19", and other issuances inconsistent with or contrary to this OM are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. All other provisions of existing
issuances which are not affected by this DM shall remain valid and in effect.

For strict compliance.

SCOT.~C
Secretary of Health

5
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Annex A: Summary of Updated Quarantine and Isolation Protocols

Healthcare workers and

General Public
authorized sectors**
QUARANTINE
Asymptomatic close contact Fully At least 5 days from At least 5 days from
vaccinated exposure* * * exposure
JPCC may shorten up toO
days if with booster
Partially At least 14 days from At least 14 days from
Vaccinated or exposure exposure
Unvaccinated
ISOLATION
Asymptomatic case Fully At least 7 days* from At least 7 days* from
vaccinated positive test positive test
(sample collection date) (sample collection date)
IPCC may shorten up to 5
days if with booster
Partially At least 10 days* At least 10 days* from
Vaccinated or from positive test positive test
Unvaccinated . (sam_ple collection datel lfgample collection date)
Symptomatic, suspect, Fully At least 7 days* from At least 7 days* from
probable or confirmed case vaccinated onset of symptoms onset of symptoms
with MILD symptoms IPCC may shorten up to 5
days if with booster
Partially At least 10 days* from At least 10 days* from
Vaccinated or onset of symptoms onset of symptoms
Unvaccinated
Symptomadc, suspect, Regardless of At least 10 days* from At least 10 days* from
probable or confirmed case vaccination onset of symptoms onset of symptoms
with MODERATE symptoms status
Symptomatic, suspect, Regardless of At least 21 days* from At least 21 days* from
probable or confirmed case vaccination onset of symptoms onset of symptoms
with SEVERE and CRITICAL status
~mJ!toms
Immunocompromised Regardless of At least 21 days* from At least 21 days* from
Autoimmune disease, HIV, Cancer! vaccination
>I< onset of symptoms with onset of symptoms with
Malignancy, Transplant Patients, status negative repeat RT-PCR negative repeat RT-PCR
Undergoing steroid treatment,
Patients with poor prognosis/
Bed-ridden_palients
*Isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the required days, provided that, they shall not develop fever for at
least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications and shall have improvement of respiratory symptoms.
Except for immunocornpromised individuals, repeat testing nor medical certification is not required for safe reintegration
into the community. Time based isolation is sufficient provided the affected individual remains asymptomatic.
u Hospital IPCC, PHO coordinated with provincial HIPCC, and other sectors authorized by the IATF with strict
industry standards on IPC shall be authorized to implement further shortening of quarantine and isolation protocols for
their fully vaccinated workers with boosters who are close contacts, suspect, probable, and confirmed cases whether
asymptomatic, mild, or moderate, based on the institution's individualized risk and needs assessment.
*** All asymptomatic close contacts should continue symptom monitoring for 14 days, strictly observe MPHS which
includes wearing well-fitted masks, physical distancing, among others

6
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, . '

Annex B. Updated Testing Protocols

Who is being tested?
Ai or Health Care
Workers
A2 Senior Citizens or A3
Persons with
Co-morbidities
Including those at high
risk for severe disease
All except Ai, A2 and A3
- no symptoms
All except AI, A2 and A3
- mild symptoms
"'Hospital !PCC, PHO coordinated with provincial HIPCC, and other sectors authorized by the IATF with strict
industry standards on IPC can determine need for testing upon careful assessment of benefits and risks,
Why is testing being done? Should you test? Remarks
Surveillance to plan for
adequate health system YES* Use antigen test
capacity only when
symptomatic,
Confirming COVID-19 to and when
know if investigational drugs YES RT-PCR is not
can be given available
Confirming COVID-19 after OPTIONAL, quarantine ASAP,
exposure to positive case and monitor symptoms
OPTIONAL, isolate ASAP,
Confirming COVID-19 after
teleconsult, home care if with
onset of symptoms
capacity to be managed at home

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.' .

Annex C. DOH Regional Helplines

,, ,,,
\

DOH Regional Helplines

, I
REGION CENTER SERVICES HOTLINE
//, 24/7 Crisis Hotline
1553
0917-899-8721
National Center T.lemenlal Health
NATIONWIDE for Mental Health Psychologica~hlatric
0966-351-4518
H08-639-2672
Referrals & Man8lltmenl
bil.ly/mhuAptayo

HEMS
4-8 MIMAROPA MHPSS 0945-992-9323 'f/I
HEMS Helpline COVID-19 Mental 0929-295-6595
MIMAROPA Health Concerns

6 Capiz Provincial 0916-241-1596

MHPSS
WESTERN He.lth OffiCI! 0921-991-2064
VISAYAS

Central Viseyas PFA. PSP, Substanct 0916-343-7016

MHPSS Hl!lplinl! AbuS!! Rtfnr.ls, 0933-644-3488
7 Swab concerns

CENTRAL Tawag Pagtaum 24/7 Crilli. Hottinl! 0939-937-5433

VISAYAS Suicide Prl!venlion 0939-936-5433
0927-654-1629

Siliran Provincial 0953·356-0296

MHPSS, PFA
Hospital 0920-181-8809
MHPSS 0964-531-64"
DOH-CHD Region 8
Psychiatric referrats 0947 -423-8423

,
8 0999-921-4848
~ EASTERN 0949-776-7389
VISAYAS 0919-278-3337 lif
Northern Samar PFA 10 agencies, LGUs 0921-217-7701
Provincial Health Office (by appointment) 0928-350-1846
0907·832·7760
0948-341-8981 i \
0930-770-2679

10 0997-359-0888
DOH-CHD Region 10 MHPSS 0965-055-6777
NORTHERN
MINDANAO 0965-835-6888

11 DOH·CHD Region II PFA

0977-760-8610
DAVAO 0939-768-3627
0933·404-1072
REGION

12 Colabato Regional Crisis Holline

COTABATO Medical Center Psychlalrlc Referrals 0935·574·4500
REGION ;

H ••• llh E •••••. '.nq '//

HEMS
"''''Apm.nI 51""
14ti1lo1 H ••• llh ,
!'FA PsycholoQlcai Fltll AkI
I //
MHPSS PliP P'yd>osocial Processlng
Psyd,oloclal Support

8
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
17 April 2020
DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
No. 2020 - 0 \'09

TO ALL UNDERSECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES;

DIRECTORS OF BUREAUS AND CENTERS FOR HEALTH
1)EVELOPMENT; MINISTER OF HEALTH - BANGSAMORO
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN .MUSLIM MINDANAO;
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SP.ECIALTY HOSPITALS AND
NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL; CHIEFS OF MED1CAL
CENTERS, HOSPITALS, SANITARIA AND INSTITUTES;
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE
CORPORATIDN; DIRECTORS OF PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
AIDS COUNCIL AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION
CENTERS AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT: Updated Guidelines on Contact Tracing of Close Contacts of

Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COYID-19) Cases

.1. BACKGROUND

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) as a Global Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
This declaration was a call to action for all countries to prepare for containment, which include
active surveillance, early detection, isolation, case management, and contact tracing to prevent
further spread. By March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID- I 9 a pandemic, with 118,000
reported confirmed cases affecting 110 countries and territories. On March 12, 2020, President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte raised the national code alert tor COVID-19 to Code Red Sublevel 2.

On March 24, 2020, the President announced the creation of a National Task Force for
COVlD-19, adopting u whole-of-government approach in addressing COVlD-19. Hence, there
is a need to update the Department of Health (DOH) Department Memorandum (DM)
2020-0068, entitled "Interim Guidelines on Contact Tracing for Confirmed 2019 Novel
Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (20 19-nCoV ARD) Cases" to also adopt these
approach.

11. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. Contact tracing - the identification, listing, and follow-up of persons who may have
come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. Contact tracing is an
important component in containing outbreaks of infectious diseases. Under Code Red
Sublevel 2, contact tracing is aimed at mitigating the spread of the disease.
B. Close contact - a person who may have come into contact with the probable or
confirmed case two days prior to onset of illness of the confirmed COVTD-19 case (use
date of sample collection for asymptomatic cases as basis) until the time that said cases
test negative on laboratory confirmation or other approved laboratory test through:

Building I. Sail Lazaro Compound. Rizal Avenue, Sill. Cruz, 1003 Manila. Trunk Line 651·7800 local 1108, 1111, 1112. 1113
Direct Line: 711-9502; 711-9503 Fux: 743·1829 • URL: hltp:!lwww.doh.gov.ph;e-muil:nell!III~(ildoll.!;II\".ph
 I. Face-to-face contact with a probable or confirmed case within 1 meter and for
more than 15 minutes;
2. Direct physical contact with a probable or confirmed case;
3. Direct care for a patient with probable or confirmed COVID-19 disease without
using proper personal protective equipment; OR
4. Other situations as indicated by local risk assessments.
C. Confirmed COVID-19 case - any individual who tested positive for COVID-19 through
laboratory confirmation at the national reference laboratory, subnational reference
laboratory, or a DOH-certitied laboratory testing facility.
D. Probable COVID-19 case - a suspect case who fulfills anyone of the following listed
below:
a. Suspect case whose testing for COVID-19 is inconclusive; or
b. Suspect who tested positive for COVID-19 but whose test was not conducted in a
national or sub national reference laboratory or officially accredited laboratory for
COVID-19 confirmatory testing
c. Suspect case who died without undergoing any confirmatory testing
E. Suspect COVID-19 case - a person who is presenting with any of the conditions below:
a. All SARI cases where NO other etiology that fully explains the clinical
presentation.
b. ILl cases with anyone of the following:
1. with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation AND
a history of travel to or residence in an area that reported local
transmission of COVID-19 disease during the 14 days prior to symptom
onset; or
ii. with contact to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 disease
during the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.
c. Individuals with fever or cough or shortness of breath or other respiratory signs
or symptoms fulfilling anyone of the following conditions:
i. Aged 60 years and above;
11. With a comorbidity;
111. Assessed as having a high-risk pregnancy; and/or
iv. Health worker

III. GENERAL GUIDELINES

A. Contact tracing is one of the main public health interventions for COVID-19 response and
shall be the responsibility of the whole govemment.
1. The Department of Health, through the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), shall provide
guidelines and oversight for all contact tracing activities.
2. The external agencies engaged in COVID-19 response shall comply with their
specific roles and corresponding operational guidelines issued by the National
Task Force for COVID-19 response

B. The goals of contact tracing are as follows:

I. To interrupt ongoing transmission and reduce the spread of infection;
2. To alert close contacts to the possibility of infection and offer preventive
counselling or care; and
3. To understand the epidemiology of a disease in a particular population
C. Contact tracing shall be initiated after case investigation of every reported confirmed
COVID-19 cases, to incl ude the following actions:

2
 1. Identify settings where the contacts have visited or social interactions where the
contacts have been exposed.
2. Identify all social, familial, work, and health care worker contacts who have had
contact with a confirmed case from 2 days before symptom onset of the case (use
date of sample collection for asymptomatic cases as basis) until the time that said
case test negative on laboratory confirmation
3. Create a line list, including demographic information and geographic information
at barangay and sitio levels, date of first and last exposure or date of contact with
the confirmed or probable case, and, for symptomatic close contacts, date of onset
of fever, respiratory symptoms, or other significant signs and symptoms;
4. Thoroughly document the common exposures and type of contact with the
confirmed or probable case for any contact who become infected with COVID-19

D. Contact tracing shall prioritize listing of the following close contacts:

1. Health workers who attended to the confirmed COVID-19 case
2. Individuals who lived with the confirmed COVID-19 case
3. Individuals who worked with the confirmed case, and
4. Vulnerable populations as identified in the demographic vulnerabilities tool

E. For suspect COVID-19 cases, we shall list the individuals they were in contact using these
same guidelines and advise these individuals accordingly. This list shall facilitate contact
tracing for suspect cases who may become re-classified as probable or confirmed cases.

F. In order to ensure that the data privacy rights of the patient/data subject are respected and
that the data or information processed are protected, the provisions on data privacy under
Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health
Events of Public Health Concem Act, the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 20 12, its
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and other issuance of National Privacy
Commission (NPC) shall be strictly complied with. The aforementioned law, rules and
issuances shall also govem in case disclosure shall be made by the DOH or other agencies
involved in the contact tracing to third parties. The guidelines for processing and
disclosure of the personal information of patient/data subject are attached in Annex A.

G. As stated in DILG Memorandum Circular 2020 - 062, "Barangay Health Emergency

Response Teams (BHERTs) are designated to help combat the spread ofCOVID-19 by
managing, on the barangay level, Persons Under Investigation, and those who came in
contact with them. BHERT members are also tasked with the monitoring and reporting
of PUIs within an LGU jurisdiction." Hence, Barangay LGUs, through the BHERTs,
shall, after acting as the navigator during contact tracing, monitor the health status of all
close contacts. Furthermore, LGUs may add barangay population volunteers to BHERTs.

H. Classification of patients for reporting purposes shall follow the AO 2020-0013 re:
Revised Administrative Order No. 2020-0012 "Guidelines for the Inclusion of the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the List of Notifiable Diseases for Mandatory
Reporting to the Department of Health" dated March 17, 2020.

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IV. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

A. Identification of Contacts of Suspect COVID-19 Cases

I. For identified suspect COVlD-19 cases, data fields of the COVID-19 Case
Investigation Form (CIF) (SeeAnnex B) shall be submitted, including the initial list
of contacts for suspect COVID-19 cases using the definition stated in this issuance

2. Information in the CIF shall be encoded in a DOH-registered COVIO-19

Information System.

3. All suspect cases shall be advised that this list shall be endorsed to the concerned
local government unit who shall a) inform identified contacts of the possible
exposure, b) advise them to practice self-quarantine and self-monitoring, and report
development or progression of sign or symptoms, and c) update them as to
laboratory status of suspect COVID-19 case and re-classify them, as needed.

B. Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for Probable and Confirmed COVID-19
Cases

I. DOH-EB shall immediately notify the concerned RESU for each new reported
confirmed COVID-19 case. The RESU shall immediately notify the Regional and
Assistant Regional Directors of Centers for Health Development regarding the new
continned COVIO-19 case, who in tum shall inform concerned provincial, city or
municipal LGU through its Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU)
and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) or Municipal Epidemiology
and Surveillance Unit (MESU).

2. The following shall conduct case investigation and collect data fields of the COVIO-
19 Case Investigation Form (CIF) (Annex B) and Travel History Form (Annex e),
or any information technology system registered to DOH and/or validated by DICT.
They shall generate a list of close contacts [Annex D) upon completion of case
investigation that shall be forwarded to the local contact tracing teams.

a. C/MESU for local government units who have established them

h. PESU for health offices at the municipal and component city level in the
absence of city or municipal personnel capable of conducting case
investigation
c. RESU for health offices of provinces and highly urbanized cities in the
absence of personnel capable of conducting case investigation

3. All health facilities that conducted sample collection and/or testing, consultation,
and/or admission of confirmed COVID-19 cases shall ensure that P/C/MESUs are
provided access to the complete medical record of the confirmed COVIO-19 case
and shall help facilitate the interview of the confirmed COVrD-19 cases, and hislher
relatives, caregivers, and/or guardians.
4. Upon receipt of close contact lists from RlP/C/MESUs, local contact tracing teams
(LeTTs) shall rigorously locate, profile (Annex E), and assess (Annex F and G) all
close contacts. The LeTTs shall identify symptomatic close contacts who fit the

4
 COVID-19 case definition based on AO 2020-0013 and test and isolate using the
same guidelines.

5. For close contacts not fitting any of tile COVID-19 case definitions, the LCCT shall
classify and test these close contacts based on DM 2020-0180 Revised Interim
Guidelines on Expanded Testing for COVID-19.

6. Sample collection shall be performed by the concerned P/C/MESU.

7. If close contacts reside outside the jurisdiction of the concerned P/C/MESU but
reside in the same region, the RES U shall endorse the list of these close contacts to
the appropriate P/C/MESU.

8. If close contacts reside both outside the jurisdiction of the concerned P/C/MESU
and the region, the RES U shall endorse the list of these close contacts to the
appropriate RESU, who shall endorse to the appropriate P/C/MESU.

C. Contact Tracing in Areas with Community Transmission

1. All P/CIMESUs in areas with community transmission shall continue conducting

case investigation, testing, and contact tracing to reduce transmission of COVlD-19.

2. The LCTTs in these areas may conduct contact tracing until 2nd generation
transmission, and/or prioritize less affected communities and/or high risk close
contacts, which includes health workers, non-health workers with high risk
exposure, and people working with vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly care
workers)

3. Conduct of case investigation, testing, and contact tracing in these areas shall be
complemented by other measures, such as work/school suspension, community
quarantine and physical distancing, to effectively reduce COVID-19 transmission.

D. Composition and Coordination with Local Contact Tracing Teams (LCTT)

1. The LCTT shall be composed of the following:

Team Leader: City or Municipal Health Officer
Co - Team Leader: City or Municipal Philippine National Police Chief
Members: City or Municipal Philippine National Police; physicians, nurses,
midwives, and/or sanitary inspectors from the City or Municipal Health Office,
local population officers, workers and volunteers from the City or Municipal
Population Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, City or Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Office, Barangay Health Emergency Response Team;
other staff or individuals who shall be designated/deputized by the Team Leaders

2. DOH Centers for Health Development may deploy Human Resources for Health for
contact tracing.

3. Other agencies, such as the Commission on Population and Development, and the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, may also be deputized to assist in contact tracing.

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E. Monitoring of Close Contacts under Quarantine

I. The Barangay LOU, through the BHERT, supported by other volunteers and contact
tracing personnel shall monitor close contacts under quarantine for the development
or progression of signs and symptoms of the disease.

2. The BHERT shall update all contacts' Signs and Symptoms Log Forms (Annex H)
daily.

3. Any previously asymptomatic close contact who develops signs and symptoms shall
be referred by the BHERT to the P/C/MESU and shall be re-assessed, re-classified,
managed depending on classification as specified in Annex D.

4. Any symptomatic close contact who by the end of the 14-day quarantine remained
symptomatic but still does not fit suspect case definition, should be re-assessed and
managed as per current clinical practice guidelines. Said close contact should remain
in self-isolation while undergoing said assessment.

F. Certificate of Quarantine Completion

I. The Provincial, City or Municipal Health Officer, upon the recommendation of the
P/C/MESU, shall issue a Certificate of Quarantine Completion (Annex I) to all close
contacts who shall successfully complete the 14-day home-based quarantine and is
asymptomatic at the end of the 14-day quarantine.

2. Close contacts who remained symptomatic by the end of the 14-day quarantine shall
be issued a certificate of quarantine completion by the physician who monitored his
clinical course until resolution of his medical condition.

G. Recording and Reporting

1. All P/C/MESUs shall submit information gathered during case investigations to the
RESU daily by 5:00 PM. The RESU shall in turn submit these to EB immediately.

2. All LCTTs shall submit information gathered during contact tracing to the
P/C/MESUs, who shall submit to the RESU daily by 5:00PM. The RESU shall in
turn submit these to EB immediately.

3. All BHERTs shall submit daily monitoring data of contacts to the P/C/MESUs, who
shall submit to the RESU and EB by 10:00 AM the following day.

4. Hospitals shall submit status updates of admitted COVID-19 cases (Annex J) to the
RESU. The RESU shall submit these updates daily to EB by 5:00 PM.

5. In the interim, a ladderized information flow (AII II ex K) shall be observed, starting

from LCTTs, to P/C/MESUs, to RESUs, and to EB. In the future electronic
submission of contact tracing data shall be utilized to ensure timely submission and
validation of data at all levels.

H. Use of Information and Communications Technologies related to Contact Tracing

1. All contact tracing applications or technologies should include the necessary data
fields, conform to DOH contact tracing protocols. and shall be cleared by the

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 national lead of contact tracing following the standards developed by the Knowledge
Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS) of DOH.

2. All entities interested to develop contact tracing applications and technologies

should be registered to the National Privacy Commission and should conform to the
provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 20 12 including, but not limited to, assigning
data protection officers and ensuring policies on data protection and breach
management protocols.

I. Protecting Data Privacy of COVID-19 Cases and Close Contacts

1. Pursuant to Data Privacy Act of2012, declaration forms shall be given to and signed
by COVID-19 patients and close contacts, or their relatives, caregivers, and/or
guardians, prior to conducting epidemiologic investigation or close contact
interviews. A privacy notice shall be provided to inform patients and contacts on the
processing of information.

2. All identified close contacts shall be assigned anonymised identification for the
purpose of information sharing to or data analysis by individuals other than the
personal information controller or those designated to have access to personal and
sensitive information. Names and other unique identifiers shal1 NOT be released
publicly or shared with entities not directly involved in the care of the patient, or
entities unauthorized by law or other legal instruments to process such information,
without the patient's consent. Violations of this provision shall be punishable by the
penalties set under the Data Privacy Act.

3. Only information relevant to the contact tracing shall be collected. The DOH
reserves the right to release information on COVID-19 cases that are relevant for
public health interventions without full disclosure of the case's identity.

4. The DOH with other government agencies involved and/or contributing to the
contact tracing shall form a memorandum of agreement on data sharing to ensure
proper use and accountability of personal information being collected.

5. The Epidemiology Bureau shall be the personal information controller who will be
responsible for directing all actions related to the data, including the use of personal
information needed for the conduct of COVID-19 response activities such as contact
tracing.

6. The RESU, the P/C/MESU, other surveillance units, and deputized agencies shall
identify their personal information processors and shall be responsible for assigning
a data protection officer and data protection controls such as privacy and breach
management.

V. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The EB shall:
1. Provide technical supervision on the joint contact tracing activity by the RESU and
concerned LOU;

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 2. Design recording and reporting systems and applications to ensure timely
submission of complete and valid data; and,
3. Coordinate with appropriate national government agencies to secure records and
documentations needed for contact tracing

B. The KMITS shall:

I.Develop standards for applications and technologies for contact tracing and other
COVID-19 mitigation efforts and ensure that they conform to mutually agreed
protocols.
2.Undertake appropriate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure quality of system
implementation, including adequacy of control mechanisms, security management,
and feedback system; and,
3.Provide direction on resolving technical issues and concerns related to the
development, implementation, and use of the contact tracing applications or
technologies.

C. The RESU shall:

l.Ensure timely and appropriate coordination with concerned LOU and other regional
and local offices, institutions, and officials, as needed;
2.Ensure timely endorsement of list of confirmed cases to concerned P/C/MESU
3.Supervise conduct of case investigations
4.Facilitate collection of laboratory specimens while the LOUs and health facilities are
not yet trained in specimen collection, storage, and transport;
5.Regularly monitor conduct of contact tracing and provide technical assistance to the
LOU and catchment hospitals;
6.Ensure timely submission of all data gathered to EB, preferably using standardized
forms and the COVID-19 Information System; and,
7.0rient and/or train LOU, health facilities, and concerned agencies on contact tracing
guidelines and recording and reporting systems, even in the absence of confirmed
COVID-19 cases in the LOU.

D. The LOU and its P/C/MESU shall:

l.Draft case investigation plans;

2.Conduct case investigation and specimen collection;
3.Conduct appropriate management and referral, as needed, of symptomatic close
contacts;
4.Facilitate transportation for suspect and probable cases that need to be referred to
higher level of care, as well as for samples to be submitted to the laboratory;
5.Ensure timely submission of close contact profiles and monitoring to RESU; and,
6.0rient and/or train the local contact tracing and monitoring teams.

E. The LCTT Leader and Co-Team Leader shall:

1. Draft contact tracing plans;

2. Secure the list of confirmed COVlD-19 cases from the P/C/MESU concerned;
3. Locate all confirmed cases and secure the areas where the cases are located;
4. Prepare and provide needed logistics for contact tracing;
5. Regularly coordinate with the P/C/MESU for updates;
6. Ensure that reports are submitted on time to the P/C/MESU;

8
 7. Ensure that members of the LCTTs are oriented and trained
8. Ensure that the data privacy rights of patients and individuals subjected to contact
tracing are protected; and
9. Utilize the Demographic Vulnerability Tool downloadable from the POPCOM
website (http://popcom.gov.ph) in planning and implementing its task.

F. The members of the LCTT shall:

1. Conduct contract tracing;

2. Conduct immediate transport of close contacts for health facility isolation;
3. Provide health education to close contacts;
4. Submit accomplished forms to the Team Leader and Co-Team Leader;
5. Conduct daily monitoring of close contacts for 14 days each;
6. Assess previously asymptomatic close contacts presenting with symptoms at any
point during the duration of the quarantine; and,
7. Refer symptomatic close contacts to the Team Leader or Co-Team Leader for
assessment and facilitate transport for immediate referral, as needed.

G. The BHERTs shall:

t. Serve as the navigator of the LCTT and help to locate all contacts;
2. Conduct regular monitoring and assessment of close contacts under quarantine;
3. Submit timely and accurate Individual Signs and Symptoms Log Forms to the
P/C/MESU; and,
4. Immediately refer to the LESU all close contacts who shall develop signs and
symptoms while under quarantine.

H. The health facilities (public and private) shall:

t. Cooperate fully with the DOH-EB and its regional and local counterparts by
ensuring that LCTTs are provided access to medical records, facilitating case
interviews, and conducting other case investigation and contact tracing activities by
virtue of R.A. 11223 and R.A. 11332; and,
2. Submit Case Investigations Forms and Travel History, Places Visited, and Events
Attended Forms using the COVID-J9 Information System.

FRAN O. DUQUE, Ill, MD, MSc

retary of Health