Health Department Explains Contact Tracing

Published 6/10/2020
5:12pm

Health Department Explains Contact Tracing

Shiawassee County Health Department Responds to Question About Public Health Action Related to COVID-19

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The Shiawassee County Health Department's Health Educator, Grace Czubachowski, is answering questions related to contact tracing and what a contact tracer does.

"Contact tracing is a public health action used to identify persons who may have come in contact with someone who has an infectious disease. This is a method that has been used in public health to control communicable diseases."

How does COVID-19 contact tracing work?

Czubachowski explains "It starts with people who have confirmed or suspected infections. Shiawassee County Health Department staff reach out and ask about close contacts they’ve had during the time they may have been infectious. Our staff then call anyone who may have been exposed."

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Contacts are given information and support to understand their risk and how to keep others safe. They’re asked to monitor themselves for illness and to seek medical assistance if they become ill. They may be asked to self-quarantine or isolate themselves.

"The calls are confidential. Our staff protect the privacy of patients and contacts," she said. "They don’t give the name of the patient, only that they may have been exposed to someone with the infection."

Shiawassee County COVID-19 numbers continue to improve, approaching fewer than 10 active cases and now zero hospitalizations related to the virus. Experts are cautioning the possibility of a "second wave" that some states are already reportedly beginning to see.

Florida, Texas and California have counted some of their greatest daily case increases in the past week, following the reopening of certain sectors.

For a breakdown of cases in Shiawassee County, click here.

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Update 6/10/2020

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