The Pennsylvania Department of Health provided an update on contact tracing efforts as COVID-19 remains a threat in our communities. Contact tracing is the process of identifying, notifying and monitoring anyone who came in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were infectious.
“Across Pennsylvania, we have dedicated public health professionals who truly are the backbone of contact tracing, working alongside our regional partnerships, staff and volunteers,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “As COVID-19 cases increase, we continue our efforts to support, strengthen and expand in order to conquer any potential surge in COVID-19 cases. Without case investigations, the proven health strategies like contact tracing efforts and monitoring would not be possible. Contact tracing is critical to identify any instances of community spread and prevent larger outbreaks to keep Pennsylvania safe.”
The Department of Health is expanding and building the infrastructure for long-term public health needs, especially those in the near future to tackle any COVID-19 surges in cases. This expansion includes volunteers, regional partnerships and hiring contact tracing staff.
Currently, Pennsylvanians share on average one to 10 contacts. Estimates show that the state needs about 625 contact tracers. However, this number could grow hundreds, even thousands, depending on the resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall.
Currently, the commonwealth has a total of 661 contact tracers. As of the July 2020 report released July 13, there were 649 contact tracers with the following breakdown in each regional health district in Pennsylvania:
– Southeast District (including Bucks County): 380 contact tracers
– Northcentral District: 37 contact tracers
– Southcentral District: 73 contact tracers
– Northeast District: 69 contact tracers
– Northwest District: 29 contact tracers
– Southwest District: 61 contact tracers
Within each of these health districts, the Department of Health is working to gather a number of outside organizations to discuss the contact tracing needs and any potential problems and solutions in the various regions across the state. These regional partnerships consist of community business organizations, employers, federally qualified health centers, county human services organizations, foundations and health systems, and colleges and universities.
The Department of Health is hiring contact tracing field managers and community health nurses to strengthen contact tracing needs throughout the state. Contact tracing filed managers would allow each coordinator to foster relationships with their regional partners and manage contact tracers within their respective region. Community health nurses will assist with COVID-19 case investigations.
Between June 29 and July 13, contact tracers have enrolled 3,638 contacts in the Sara Alert system. The Sara Alert, working alongside the Department of Health’s disease surveillance system (NEDSS), offers contact tracers the ability to track, monitor, isolate and test symptomatic contacts and is further enhanced by the use of technology applications. This web-based monitoring tool enables contact tracers to send daily emails, texts and/or phone calls to cases and identified close contacts throughout their isolation/quarantine monitoring period. This technology enhances the contact tracer’s ability to promptly respond and provide guidance to symptomatic individuals.
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