Contact tracing is being done to slow the spread of COVID-19

NORWALK — In hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19, health departments across the county have turned to contact tracing. Contact tracing involves finding those who have been exposed to COVID-19 and monitoring their symptoms, in addition to finding people who came in contact with someone who has the virus. This is being done by epidemiologists from state to state. Melanie Myers, public information officer of Huron County Public Health, said those in close contact with someone who is infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk of being infected themselves. "Closely watching these contacts after exposure to an infected person will help the contacts to get care and treatment, and will prevent further transmission of the virus," she said. "This process is called contact tracing." Contact tracing has three steps: identification, listing and follow-up. With contact identification, Myers said once someone is confirmed as infected, contacts are identified by asking about the person's activities and people around them since becoming sick. "Contacts can be anyone who has been in contact with an infected person: family members, work colleagues, friends, or health care providers," she said. "All persons considered to have contact with the infected person are listed as contacts. Efforts are then made to identify every listed contact and to inform them of their contact status, what it means, the actions that will follow, and the importance of receiving early care if they develop symptoms." Those who are contacted are also provided with information about preventative measures. Myers said during the current pandemic, quarantine or isolation guidance is provided for high-risk contacts. "Regular follow-up is conducted with all contacts to monitor for symptoms and test for signs of infection," Myers said. "Contact tracing is being completed for all Huron County residents diagnosed with COVID-19, including symptom monitoring." Myers said contact tracing is voluntary but is vital in helping prevent the spread of the disease. She said positive cases and their contacts are contacted daily by the health department's epidemiologists until their investigation is complete. Peter Schade, the health commissioner for Erie County, said those who have been identified as a contact of someone positively diagnosed with COVID-19 must comply with the health department via the Ohio Revised Code. Schade said the department contacts them daily, sometimes twice daily to check-in and monitor their symptoms. He said sometimes isolation and quarantines extend beyond 14 days. When an employee tests positive for the coronavirus, there is a minimum of a 14-day isolation period and must show no symptoms before returning to work. Schade said the employer must monitor all other employees as usual. "We always reach out. We do not rely on (a) case to contact us ever," he said. "If no phone contact, we go to (their) residence in-person, ratchet up law enforcement if no response or no compliance." Rachel Feeley, a public information specialist with the Ohio Department of Health, said contact tracing is done to notify individuals of their exposure to a contagious disease. She said it's necessary to interrupt the chain of infection. "Participation in contact tracing is voluntary. When individuals are engaged in contact tracing, they will either be asked to monitor and report symptoms (if they occur) on a daily basis, or it is possible that contact may simply be asked to check back in with the local health department if symptoms occur," Feeley said. "This is done so that proper referrals can be made and resources provided if needed." She said those who are identified as contacts of someone who has been diagnosed are contacted by the health department to notify them of exposure to COVID-19. They then provide information about the coronavirus and how to stay safe and keep others safe. "The health department may reach out in a variety of ways: phone, text or email, and sometimes in person," Feeley said. "Ohio is a home-rule state. Each health jurisdiction follows the same basic guidance for contact tracing, however has its own protocol and processes."