Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
On March 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Department Circular No. 2020-0108 to provide guidance on managing and referring close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Close contacts are defined as individuals who have provided direct care without proper personal protective equipment, shared close environments, or traveled in close proximity to a confirmed case within the last 14 days. The DOH emphasizes the importance of cooperation in contact tracing and specifies that only identified close contacts or Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) should be referred for testing at higher-level hospitals. Individuals who have merely visited locations associated with confirmed cases are advised to self-monitor and consult health centers if symptoms arise. The DOH encourages the public to access further information on their dedicated COVID-19 website.
Quick Answers
- What is Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases about?
- On March 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Department Circular No. 2020-0108 to provide guidance on managing and referring close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Close contacts are defined as individuals who have provided direct care without proper personal protective equipment, shared close environments, or traveled in close proximity to a confirmed case within the last 14 days. The DOH emphasizes the importance of cooperation in contact tracing and specifies that only identified close contacts or Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) should be referred for testing at higher-level hospitals. Individuals who have merely visited locations associated with confirmed cases are advised to self-monitor and consult health centers if symptoms arise. The DOH encourages the public to access further information on their dedicated COVID-19 website.
- What type of law is DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108?
- Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases (DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108) is a Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases enacted?
- Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases (DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108) was enacted on Mar 7, 2020.
- What is the citation for Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases?
- Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108, Mar 7, 2020 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108
- Date Enacted
- Subcategory
- Department of Health
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
March 7, 2020
DOH DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 2020-0108
| TO | : | All Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries; Directors of Bureaus and Centers for Health Development; Minister of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Executive Directors of Specialty Hospitals and National Nutrition Council; Chiefs of Medical Centers, Hospitals, Sanitaria and Institutes; President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Directors of Philippine National Aids Council and Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and Others Concerned |
| SUBJECT | : | Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases |
In view of the confirmation of the local case of COVID-19, the Department of Health issues the following clarification to guide the public and health care providers in the management and referral of close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases:
1. Close contacts are defined as a person involved in any of the following:
a. Providing direct care without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) 2 for COVID-19 patients;
b. Staying in the same close environment of a COVID-19 patient (including workplace, classroom, household, gathering) within the past 14-day period; or
c. Traveling together in close proximity (1 meter or less) with a COVID-19 patient in any kind of conveyance within a 14-day period after the onset of symptoms in the case under consideration.
2. Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases are advised to fully cooperate in contact tracing activities. The DOH in coordination with local health authorities will directly communicate with identified close contacts. In cases where there is difficulty ascertaining contacts, the DOH will collaborate with local institutions or issue specific advisories.
3. Only those deemed to be close contacts or Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) by the health center or rural health units shall be referred to Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals for testing.
4. All others who have visited places frequented by confirmed cases of COVID-19 are not required to seek medical consultation and subject themselves to COVID-19 laboratory testing. They are advised to self-monitor and if with symptoms, consult health center or rural health units for appropriate management and monitoring.
5. For more information, the public is advised to visit the dedicated website of the Department for COVID-19 at www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV or call (632) 8651-7800 local 1149 or 1150.
The Directors of the Centers for Health Development are directed to disseminate this advisory to all concerned for their strict compliance.
(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, MScSecretary of Health
Cite This Law
Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108, Mar 7, 2020 (Philippines)
Public Advisory No. 14 — Clarification on Management and Referral of Close Contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0108 (Phil. 2020)
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