COVID-19 Contact Tracing, June 22

CHW release – What is contact tracing and why does it matter? Contact tracing means calling people who may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to provide guidance and support. It’s a key tool for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Your privacy will be protected We want everyone to feel safe answering the call from a contact tracer. Your information is strictly confidential and will be treated as a confidential public health record. Your information will not be shared with health insurance agencies, immigration officials, law enforcement, or other similar agencies. Contact tracers will ask you questions about race, ethnicity, language and disability in order to provide more equitable services to people who have been most affected by current and longstanding racism and oppression. You can see the types of questions you may be asked here. Local and tribal public health authorities will ask: • What county you live in • Your date of birth • Your contact information, including phone number, email address, and mailing address • Your occupation • Whether you have symptoms of COVID-19 • Race, ethnicity, language and disability information – Local public and tribal health authorities will never ask for your: • Social security number • Immigration status (Note: Information will not be shared with immigration authority or law enforcement. Getting tested or getting treatment for COVID-19 will not affect your ability to get permanent residency in the U.S.) • Credit card number, bank account or billing information. View Coos Health & Wellness’ contact tracing infographic to see the contact tracing process. You can also learn more about contact tracing from Oregon Health Authority. Please remember that it is up to us, as a community, to be the best public health stewards we can be. If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, please visit our website for the most recent guidance, or email us at covid19.questions@chw.coos.or.us and we will work to respond to your question in a timely manner.