Valenzuela City to use QR codes, ValTrace app in contact tracing

The Valenzuela City local government said it will use QR codes and a contact tracing mobile app called ValTrace in its COVID-19 response.

The app can already be downloaded for free and used by both residents and non-residents, according to a report on 24 Oras News Alert on Saturday.

Residents and non-residents will have to show the QR code generated by the app before entering indoor commercial establishments in the city. The establishments will then scan the QR codes to help facilitate contact tracing.

Starting November 16, the "no QR code, no entry" policy will be observed in all indoor establishments. 

As of 10 p.m. of September 10, the city has had a total of 5,710 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Of this number, 1,131 are active; 4,415 have recovered; and 164 died. 

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the national government’s COVID-19 response, cited Valenzuela City as among the top three LGUs for COVID-19 response.

“In terms of best practices, we can say that Baguio City, Valenzuela City, and Parañaque City can be used as a benchmark in terms of its holistic and integrated approach in preventing the spread and mitigating the impact of the disease,” he said in a briefing.

Valenzuela has established a contact tracing center and has doubled the number of its contact tracers as part of the local government's efforts to contain its COVID-19 cases. —KG, GMA News