A number of employees and officials at the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) have been told to undergo quarantine and testing after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

DA-10 information officer Angie Cabig said on Monday they were informed by the Department of Health (DOH) that one of their colleagues had tested positive for Covid-19 late Sunday.

As a result, Cabig said the DA-10 office here was ordered temporarily closed until Tuesday for disinfection.

“The administration has coordinated with DOH. Contact tracing was easy here because we have an internal Personnel Health & Safety Group,” she said, referring to a committee tasked with ensuring that Covid-19 health protocols are followed inside the agency.

For instance, she said that a health officer is assigned to collect daily temperature, travel data, and other relevant information to make contact tracing easy.

Cabig said she was also advised by the DOH to report to the office on Tuesday, October 6, for assessment, since she was one of the close contacts of the Covid-19 positive female employee residing in Barangay Iponan here.

She said that her colleague traveled from Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, and then to Alae in Manolo Fortich town on September 28, in Bukidnon province.

“On Wednesday (Sept. 30), she took a leave of absence because she had a fever,” Cabig said.

The DA-10 office has a workforce of 226 regular employees, and around 400 job-order and contract-of-service workers. (PNA)

Photo Credit: www.cagayandeoro.da.gov.ph