Contents
Republic of the Philippines
3 Foreword
4 How to Use This Handbook
6 Section 1: What is COVID-19?
8 Section 2: What is Contact Tracing for
COVID-19?
9 Section 3: What are the Target Indicators in
Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
10 Section 4: What are the Steps in Contact
Tracing for COVID-19? stakeholders to limit the spread of the disease. Being the primary
12 Section 5: How is Contact Tracing for COVID-19
Coordinated?
14 Section 6: Who are the Team Members of
Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
26 Section 7: What Are Some Key Considerations
in Contact Tracing?
30 Section 8: Annexes
Foreword
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City
http://www.dilg.gov.ph
My sincerest gratitude to the World Health Organization
Philippines, the Department of Health, the University
of the Philippines Manila College of Nursing, and
the National Contact Tracing Stakeholders for
partnering with us to produce this COVID-19
Contact Tracing Handbook.
This publication guides our local government
units in establishing an efficient and effective
system for detecting possible cases of COVID-19
as it provides step-by-step procedures on the
formation of organizational structures, compositions,
roles, activities, and workflows on contact tracing.
With many Filipinos still reeling from the adversities caused by
the dreaded pandemic, our country needs our local leaders to
synergize their contact tracing efforts and work with all the possible
responders and implementers of the government’s calibrated and
people-centered COVID-19 efforts, our LGUs must be adequately
capacitated in combatting this unseen enemy lurking in our midst.
Meanwhile, the national government, including the Department
of the Interior and Local Government, is willing to extend all the
support we can muster in order to assist, guide, and capacitate our
LGUs in preventing, mitigating, and responding to the pandemic.
Together, let us heed the call of public service and build this nation
from the ground up.
May this handbook strengthen our LGUs in fighting COVID-19 and aid
us in recovering from the setbacks it brought upon our countrymen.
Again, my heartfelt appreciation to our public and
private sector partners.
Mabuhay!
UNDERSECRETARY BERNARDO C. FLORECE, JR.
Officer-in-Charge
3
 HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK
This COVID-19 Contact Tracing Handbook is intended for the use of
local government units (LGUs) all over the Philippines. Specifically,
it is expected to be utilized by the following groups/offices/units:
• Members of the Local Task Force Against COVID-19 (including
PNP, BFP, POPCOM, among others)
• Local Health Office/Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit
(LHO/LESU)
• Local Contact Tracing Team (LCTT)
• Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT)
• Other relevant LGU staff
The purpose of this Handbook is to primarily guide LGUs in
organizing and enhancing their local COVID-19 contact tracing
systems and response strategies. However, the information
contained in the Handbook must be taken with careful
consideration of existing resources, organization, and system
of LGUs. As such, the final structure, composition, roles, tasks,
activities, and workflow for COVID-19 contact tracing will still be
based on the prerogative of the LGUs, tailored as circumstances
evolve, and/or when policies, guidelines or issuances are updated.
This Handbook is divided into eight (8) sections, including the
annexes. The contents are organized in logical order, from defining
COVID-19 and contact tracing, to implementation considerations in
COVID-19 tracing.
As an overview, the sections contain the following:
Section 1: What is COVID-19?
• This portion provides a brief definition of COVID-19, its signs
and symptoms, and how it is transmitted to other people.
Section 2: What is Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
• This part defines contact tracing in the context of COVID-19,
and key activities involved in contact tracing.
4 5
Section 3: What are the Target Indicators
in Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
• This section presents four (4) target indicators in contact
tracing recommended to be achieved by LGUs.
Section 4: What are the Steps in Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
• This portion briefly describes the three (3) major steps
involved in COVID-19 contact tracing and definition of a
close contact.
Section 5: How is Contact Tracing for COVID-19 Coordinated?
• This part shows the overall process of contact tracing at the
local level, including key people involved.
Section 6: Who are the Team Members of Contact Tracing
for COVID-19?
• This section describes how local contact tracing teams
can be organized. Major tasks and activities as well as key
information are listed for each sub-teams.
Section 7: What Are Some Key Considerations
in Contact Tracing?
• This portion provides specific information on circumstances
requiring face-to-face interview/home visit, provision of
psychosocial support, guidelines on data gathering and
collection, and effective interviewing techniques.
Section 8: Annexes
• This section shows the relevant forms mentioned in the
handbook for reference of the users.
 What is COVID-19? How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 stands for “Coronavirus Disease 2019”

It is an infectious disease caused by a coronavirus ◆ The virus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person
to person. The small droplets containing the virus can be
called SARS-COV-2. transmitted when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or
talks near other people. This is why it is important to stay at least
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 1 meter (3 feet) away from others.

◆ The most common symptoms
of COVID-19 are:
o fever
o dry cough
o tiredness
◆ Some patients may have:
o aches and pains
o nasal congestion
o headache
o conjunctivitis
o sore throat
o diarrhea
o loss of taste or smell
o a rash on skin
o discoloration of fingers or
toes
◆ People can also become infected by touching contaminated
surfaces. The small droplets containing the virus can land on
objects and surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, and handrails.
When people
touch these objects
and then touch
their eyes, nose, or
mouth, they can
become infected.
This is why it is
◆ Symptoms usually start 4 or 5 important to wash
days after a person is infected hands regularly
with the virus. In some people, with soap and
it can take up to 2 weeks water or clean with
(14 days) for symptoms to alcohol-based
appear. And some people hand rub.
become infected but don’t
develop any symptoms and
don’t feel unwell.

6 7
 What is Contact Tracing for What are the Target Indicators in
COVID-19? Contact Tracing for COVID-19?
Contact tracing is the process of identifying, assessing, and
managing people who have been exposed to a disease to prevent It is recommended that LGUs achieve the following targets:
new infections.

In contact tracing, rapid indentification of

close contacts and sources of transmission is
key. This is to interrupt ongoing transmission
and mitigate the spread of infection.

◆ This requires:
o Identifying persons who may have been exposed to
COVID-19 i.e., close contacts
o Managing the close contacts by:
◆ Rapidly quarantining close contacts
◆ Rapidly isolating persons with symptoms
suggestive of COVID-19
o Monitoring their health status daily for 14 days
(from the last date of exposure)
o Identifying possible sources of transmission such as
settings, events, people, or other hotspots or avenues.

*The time a person becomes a suspect is usually when a specimen/swab is collected or

upon consultation with symptoms in the Disease Reporting Units (DRUs)

8 9
 What are the Steps in Who is a close contact?
Contact Tracing for COVID-19? A close contact is defined as anyone with the following exposures
to suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 case, from two (2) days
before onset of illness or date of specimen collection until the time
that the case has been assessed and tagged as clinically recovered:

◆ Face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 case within 1 meter and for

◆ First step is to identify suspect cases from Disease Reporting
Units (i.e., hospitals or community health facilities)
◆ After getting the minimum data of suspect cases from the Case
Investigation Form, close contacts should be identified. Close
contacts can be anyone who has been exposed to a person with
COVID-19.
more than 15 minutes;
◆ Direct physical contact with a COVID-19 case;
◆ Providing direct care for patients with COVID-19 disease without
using proper personal protective equipment (PPE);
◆ other definitions, as indicated by local risk assessment.
Close contacts can be classified further into first, second and third
generation close contacts:

◆ First generation close contacts are the close contacts of a

suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 case;
◆ Second generation close contacts are the close contacts of
1st generation close contact; and
◆ All persons considered to have close contact (see definition) with
◆ Third generation close contacts are the close contacts of
suspect, probable, or confirmed cases should be located and
2nd generation close contact.
informed about the contact tracing and quarantine.
◆ The public must also be advised to avoid all settings, places, and
gatherings where the suspect, probable, or confirmed case has
been.

Contact Tracing Tree

◆ All close contacts are assessed immediately and placed under

facility-based quarantine or isolation and must finish the 14-day
period even if their results are negative.

◆ Close contacts without symptoms should be quarantined

ideally in community quarantine centers and monitored within
14 days.
◆ Close contacts with symptoms should be isolated, assessed and
referred for testing (as needed).

10 11
 How is Contact Tracing for
COVID-19 Coordinated?

12 13
 Who are the Team Members of
Contact Tracing for COVID-19?

Local contact tracing teams (LCTTs) are responsible for the conduct
of contact tracing in LGUs for all persons with known exposure to a
COVID-19 case.

The diagram illustrates an example of how LCTTs can be organized.

Some teams can be merged (e.g. Call Center Team 1 and 2,

Management, Monitoring & Coordination Team or Field Team).
New teams can also be created (e.g. logistics). Team members can
be added/removed as fit (e.g. if there is no epidemiologist, other
relevant personnel may be designated).

The final composition of the contact tracing team is still the

prerogative of the LGU, based on its existing resources and
structure.

Disclaimer: The composition of the sub-teams in this diagram is

only suggestive, and not prescriptive.

14 15
 TEAM MEMBERS
STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND LIST
CLOSE CONTACTS
TASKS
1.1 Receive list of cases
Receive list of cases (i.e.
confirmed, probable,
suspect) from disease
reporting units which
may be from hospitals or
community health centers
1.2 Interview cases
Interview cases via phone
call to determine:
◆ Exposure history such
as settings and place
visited, activities or social
gatherings attended
◆ Close contacts (see
definition of close contact
on page 11)
1.4 Provide advice to LGU
Accomplish the Case
Investigation Form (CIF)
Generate Close Contact
Line List with relevant
information about the close
contacts
1.3 Endorse Close Contact
Line List
Endorse Close Contact Line
List to Call Center Team 2
(Interviewing and Profiling)
or the barangay health
centers and barangay LGUs
(field team)
16
Case Investigation Form
Advise City/Municipal LGU
to announce to the public to
avoid all identified settings,
places and gatherings where
the suspect, probable or
confirmed case has been
See page 28 for some
interview techniques
Close Contact Line List Form
POINTS TO REMEMBER
◆ The process of interviewing a
suspect, probable, or confirmed
case can be traumatizing and
“Ako po si (pangalan). Kami po
should be done with empathy.
ay narito upang matukoy kung
Refer to Effective Interviewing
saan kayo pwedeng nahawa,
Techniques on Page 28.
kagaya nang mga lugar na
inyong binisita, mga pagtitipon
◆ Avoid using alarming information
such as “COVID-19 has no
na inyong dinaluhan, at mga
taong inyong nakasalamuha.
treatment” or “COVID-19 has a
Ang lahat ng impormasyon na
high case fatality rate”. Instead
makukuha natin ay para lamang
focus on benefits of being
sa “contact tracing” upang
identified promptly which allows
maagapan ang paglaganap pa
them to access immediate ng sakit na COVID-19.
medical care.
◆ During the interview, suspect,
Sa pamamagitan ng maagang
probable, or confirmed case may
pagtukoy sa mga taong may
have concerns about privacy
“exposure”, maaari silang
and confidentiality. This can be ihiwalay sa iba habang
addressed by communicating
pinagmamasdan kung sila ay
how information will be magkakaroon ng sintomas ng
stored and accessed, and how COVID-19. Sa simulang sila ay
individuals will be protected magkaroon ng mga sintomas,
from harmful disclosure or sila ay dapat madala sa COVID-19
identification. testing center at mabigyan ng
kaukulang gamot at alaga.
17
 TEAM MEMBERS
STEP 2: INFORM AND PROFILE
CLOSE CONTACTS, AND MANAGE
AMPLIFYING EVENTS
TASKS
2.1 Receive Close Contact Line List
Receive Close Contact Line
List from Call Center Team 1
(Case Interview) or C/MESU
2.2 Find close contact
Track the address/location
of the close contacts in the
barangay
Confirm if close contact is
currently in the address listed
2.3 Inform close contact
Inform close contact via
phone call or home visit that
they are identified as having
exposure to a case
Explain process and rationale
for contact tracing
2.4 Conduct interview
Through phone call or face-
to-face interview, conduct
profiling and complete
required information in the
Close Contact Profile Form
(see list of circumstances
requiring face-to-face
interview/home visit
on page 26)
18
Close Contact Profile Form
During home visit, assess
situation of the close contact
whether they have suitable
space/arrangement for
home quarantine or need to
be brought to community
quarantine/isolation facilities
Based on findings, provide
advice for quarantine/isolation
and self-monitoring
Answer queries/concerns
raised by the close contact
(e.g. PhilHealth, SSS/GSIS, etc.)
2.5 Endorse close contact
Endorse the close contact for
containment and swabbing
Endorse the updated Close
Contact List to barangay LGU
and BHERTs
2.6 Endorse Data
Forward accomplished Close
Contact Profile Form to
Encoding Team
“Ako po si (pangalan) ng
(pangalan ng health office).
Tumatawag po ako para
ipaalam sa inyo na isa po
kayo sa natukoy na close
contact ni (pangalan ng
suspect, probable, o confirmed
COVID-19 case).
Kumusta po ang pakiramdam ninyo ngayon?
Hindi po ibig sabihin na kung close contact
kayo ay meron na kayong COVID-19 pero ang
pagsailalim sa quarantine (o isolation) ay
mahalaga para maiwasan ang pagkalat pa
ng sakit na ito at maprotektahan ang ibang
tao tulad ng ating pamilya.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
◆ Avoid using alarming ◆ Home quarantine of close
information such as “COVID-19
has no treatment” or “COVID-19
has a high case fatality rate”.
◆ Focus on informing them to
access immediate medical care
and prompt COVID-19 testing (as
per protocol)
◆ Provide information on:
o where they will be
quarantined
o what symptoms to
look out for
o how they will be cared for
o what to do if they develop
symptoms
◆ It is important for the close
contact to:
o agree to daily monitoring ◆ The
o be willing to report signs
and symptoms of COVID-19
promptly
o be prepared to go into ◆ Those who were in the same
quarantine for at least 14
days, or into isolation if they
become symptomatic.
Nais po naming ipaalam na
kinakailangan po ninyong mag-
quarantine (o mag-isolate) sa
loob ng 14 na araw at kayo po ay
susubaybayan ng mga taga-
local health office para sa mga
sintomas ng COVID-19. Sa oras po
na may maramdaman kayong
sintomas, agad po nating
bibigyang pansin ito at kuung
kinakailangan ay magpapa-test
din po tayo.
Kung kayo po ay may mga
katanungan, nandito po kami
para sagutin ang mga ito. Maaari
din po kayong makipag-ugnayan
sa amin sa mga numerong ito…”
contacts may only be allowed
if they meet the following
requirements:
o They can be isolated in a
separate room with separate
bath and toilet; and
o They can be isolated in a
home without the presence of
any of the following persons
considered most-at-risk for
COVID-19:
- senior citizens
- pregnant women
- children
- persons with comorbidities
- immunocompromised
patients
- persons with disabilities
public must also be advised
to avoid all settings, places, and
gatherings where the suspect,
probable, and confirmed cases
have been.
event or place as a confirmed
case must be advised to self-
monitor and contact local
health authorities if signs and
symptoms appear.
19
 TEAM MEMBERS
STEP 3: MANAGE AND MONITOR
CLOSE CONTACTS (Part 1 of 2)
TASKS
Barangay Health Center
Ensure all close contacts are
assessed and immediately
placed under facility-based
quarantine or isolation,
or home quarantine as
applicable
Ensure medical needs of
close contacts are addressed
Ensure BHERTs conduct
daily monitoring of close
contacts and referrals are
immediately acted upon
Monitor compliance of close
contacts to quarantine/
isolation protocols
Refer non-compliant close
contacts to barangay LGU
for appropriate action
Endorse updated Contact
Line List to the City/
Municipal Health Office for
testing
Endorse updated Contact
Line List of those who
completed the 14-day
quarantine to the City/
Municipal Health Office
20
Barangay LGU
Mobilize BHERTS to track/ GETTING COMPLIANCE OF INDIVIDUALS
locate the residences of close
contacts under monitoring for
It requires individuals to agree to daily monitoring, to
development or progression be willing to report signs or symptoms of COVID-19
of COVID-19 signs and promptly, and to be prepared to go into quarantine
symptoms for at least 14 days or into isolation if they become
Mobilize barangay tanods,
symptomatic
PNP and other contact tracers
if close contacts cannot be
located
Ensure non-medical needs
of close contacts under
quarantine are addressed
Implement lockdown as
needed
Monitor compliance of
residents and establishments
to non-pharmacological
interventions (NPI) or
appropriate community
mitigation measures to the
City/Municipal LGU
Within existing laws and
policies, provide appropriate
disciplinary action for non-
compliant close contacts,
residents and establishments
BHERTS
Update the Contact Tracing
Signs and Symptoms Log for
each close contact daily
Provide daily monitoring
reports to the barangay health
center
Refer previously
asymptomatic close contact
who develops signs and
symptoms to C/MESU
immediately and coordinate
with the barangay health
center and barangay LGU for
action
Contact Tracing Sign and Symptoms Log Form
21
 TEAM MEMBERS

Barangay LGU/BHERTS

Facilitate transport requests

STEP 3: MANAGE AND MONITOR
CLOSE CONTACTS (Part 2 of 2)
of the barangay health center ENGAGING COMMUNITIES
Ensure close contact and Engage communities in contact tracing
health center staff are
accompanied, and with and public health measures to prevent
the proper documents/ community transmission of COVID-19.
requirements for travel and/or
referral

Barangay Tanods/PNP/Other LGU

Units

Inspect the completion of

TASKS
Barangay Health Center
Coordinate with C/MESU and
barangay LGU to ensure all
referrals by the BHERTS are
immediately acted upon
Coordinate with identified
COVID-19 health facility/
laboratory for testing
Coordinate with community
quarantine/isolation facility
to check accommodation
and arrangement of patient
arrival
documents/requirements
for travel at checkpoints as
needed
Act immediately on referrals
and emergency cases by
prioritizing passage at
checkpoints
Ensure efficient traffic flow at
checkpoints and unimpeded
movement of urgent/
emergency cases

Coordinate with referral

health facility for close
contact who develops signs
and symptoms needing
urgent/emergency medical
care

Coordinate with barangay

LGU for all transportation
needs of close contacts

22 23
 TEAM MEMBERS TEAM MEMBERS

TASKS
TASKS
Collect and review data from Step 1 and 2
Receive data reports from the
Collect raw data from Call Center Team 1 Encoding Team
(Case Interview) and Call Center Team 2
Conduct timely analysis of
(Informing and Profiling or Field Team)
cluster and spatial trends based
Review information from the case interviews on available data
and profiling for accuracy and completeness
Provide relevant information for
Coordinate with Call Center Team 2/ decision-making
Field Team to complete missing information
Recommend to the City/
Encode data Municipal LGU action areas
such as disinfection or closure
Encode data in the CT information system or of identified settings, places or
relevant database establishments

Coordinate with Analyst Team in ensuring Recommend evidence-

encoded data enter the CT information based non-pharmacological
system/database interventions or appropriate
community mitigation measures
Endorse data to the City/Municipal LGU
Generate reports for endorsement to the Coordinate with other units
Analyst Team in the City/Municipal LGU
in ensuring actions are
immediately taken and
appropriate NPI measures are in
place

24 25
 What Are Some Key Considerations DOS AND DON’TS IN DATA GATHERING
in Contact Tracing? AND COLLECTION

DO DON’T
CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING FACE-TO-FACE ◆ Only keep data necessary to ◆ Do not collect or process
INTERVIEW/HOME VISIT track and trace COVID-19 cases data that is not necessary for
and discard unnecessary ones. COVID-19 tracing.
◆ The person has limited or no access to mobile phones/landline for ◆ Keep employees informed. Let ◆ Do not use data that is collected
communication employees know what data may to discriminate against an
◆ The person is noted to be highly anxious or assessed to be be collected, why collection is employee or to be use to attack
emotionally and mentally distressed necessary, how it is being stored his/ her personality.
and if it could be shared with ◆ Do not forget to frequently
◆ The person might be afraid or shy or have other reasons to disclose third parties.
accurate information over the phone review data processing activities
◆ Store information as securely as and develop mechanisms
◆ Location has weak or no signal that can support phone interview possible. Implement the highest that provide for oversight of
security protections and ensure processes.
that these are kept up to date.
PROVIDING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT ◆ Do not use data that is collected
◆ Permanently delete data when for tracing activities for any
Contact tracers should be sensitive about mental health and psychosocial it is no longer required for other purpose, even after the
concerns of identified close contacts and they are in a position to provide contact tracing activities. This is national state of disaster has
initial psychosocial support. During the contact tracing interview, the particularly important because ended.
contact tracer may provide psychosocial support as follows: the data collected will be of a ◆ Do not sell or otherwise give the
sensitive nature. employee data to any marketers.
1. Acknowledge the emotional responses of individuals and validate
◆ Ensure that the data collected ◆ Only conduct surveillance that
that feeling “not okay” is okay.
is only accessed by authorized is strictly necessary and in
2. Provide facts about the condition and answer questions the individuals or those individuals accordance with applicable law.
interviewee might have. that need to have access to the
data. There should be a letter ◆ Do not share any employee
3. Encourage to shift perspective away from the number of deaths data with authorities that is not
request addressed to the proper
toward number of recoveries. strictly required by law to be
authority prior to the release of
4. Words matter. any requested data. shared.
◆ Conduct frequent analysis and
◆ Do talk about “people who ◆ Do not refer to review of data process.
have COVID-19” people with
◆ “people who are being the disease as
treated for COVID-19” “COVID-19 cases” or
“victims”
◆ “people who are recovering
from COVID-19” or
◆ “people who died after
COMMUNICATING
contracting COVID-19”
EFFECTIVELY
Communication about contact tracing
should emphasize solidarity, reciprocity,
5. Refer to mental health professionals as and the common good.
necessary.

26 27
 EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES IN
CONTACT TRACING NOTES
The contact tracer should include the following strategies during the
interview:
◆ Building trust and rapport with the patient or close contact;
◆ Collecting the patient’s or contact’s personal and medical
information, and asking for verification, clarification, and additional
information;
◆ Determining what information the patient understands and his or
her level of comprehension prior to providing education;
◆ Continuously clarifying information given verbally or messages
conveyed through verbal or nonverbal cues;
◆ Reinforcing health regimen during the discussion and providing
health education on COVID-19;
◆ Promoting a dialogue by providing time for the patient or contact to
ask questions.
Vital in all these strategies is the use of effective communication
techniques. Below are some examples of effective communication
techniques that contact tracers may use:

COMMUNICATION PURPOSE
TECHNIQUE
◆ Ask questions and listen ◆ Understand the patient’s or contact’s
◆ Encourage the patient to ask personal and medical history
questions ◆ Understand the patient’s or contacts
current knowledge about COVID-19
◆ Identify and help solve any problems
the patient or contact maybe facing

◆ Make the interaction with the ◆ Motivate the patient or contact by

patient a positive experience
◆ Assess and display appropriate
verbal and nonverbal language
emphasizing his/her important role in
the interview process
◆ Emphasize that health workers are
partners in working through the
contact investigation process with the
patient.

◆ Use the appropriate language ◆ Ensure that the patient or contact

level
◆ Limit the amount of information
◆ Summarize the information
being provided
◆ Repeat important information,
as needed
◆ Ask additional probing
questions and listen
understands and remembers the
COVID-19 health education and contact
investigation information
◆ Obtain relevant contact investigation
information.

28 29
 Annexes
CLOSE CONTACT PROFILE FORM

30 31
 CASE INVESTIGATION FORM:

32 33
34 35
36
CLOSE CONTACT LINE LIST FORM

37
38
CONTACT TRACING SIGN AND SYMPTOM LOG FORM