The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has logged a total of 80 active cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency's total tally of active COVID-19 cases stood at 80, as of Friday, March 19.
“As of last night, March 19, the total count of active COVID-19 cases in DSWD nationwide is 80,” she told the Manila Bulletin in a Viber message.
Of the total number, 37 cases were recorded in DSWD Central Office (CO) in Batasan Hills, Quezon City and 43 cases at Field Offices (FOs).
On March 18, Dumlao told the Manila Bulletin that the DSWD Central Office recorded 33 active cases of COVID-19.
As a result, the Central Office was closed down from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21 to conduct a three-day office disinfection and decontamination as part of precautionary measures.
The DSWD also decided to suspend the implementation of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and other services being conducted by its Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU).
From March 19 to March 21, the Central Office was expected to adopt a work-from-home arrangement for its staff to pave the way for the massive disinfection of its compound as recommended by the DSWD CO COVID-19 Action Team and the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QCESU).
The DSWD said after the three-day disinfection, DSWD personnel will adopt the work-from-home and skeleton work arrangements until further notice to prioritize the health and safety of the entire workforce and their families.
It assured its clients, especially those seeking burial and medical assistance that the regular operations of the Central Office will resume on Monday, March 22.