You may have heard the term “contact tracing” at some point during the coronavirus pandemic and wondered what it is and why people are talking about it. Let’s review the basics.
What is contact tracing?
Contact tracing is a trusted public health tool that has been used for many years to prevent the further spread of contagious diseases. For COVID-19, “contact” is generally considered being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Contact tracing involves working with a person (symptomatic or asymptomatic) who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to people (contacts) who may have been infected through exposure to the person. This process prevents further transmission of disease by separating people who have (or may have) an infectious disease from people who do not. The Loudoun County Health Department has a team of trained contact tracers and case investigators who are helping to manage COVID-19 cases in Loudoun County.
Contact tracing is a critical part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and beyond.
How does contact tracing work?
Contact tracing is a process that lets people know they may have been exposed to a contagious disease like COVID-19 and therefore should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Health Department staff work closely with the patient to retrace their steps during their infectious period in order to identify people with whom they had contact so that those contacts can take appropriate preventative steps due to the possible exposure to the infections disease. Part of this process may also include helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested and asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact.
When might I be contacted by the Loudoun County Health Department?
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, someone from the Loudoun County Health Department may call or text you to check on your health. It is likely that the phone number will have an 804 area code because the Virginia Department of Health is based in Richmond, Virginia. This caller will identify themselves as a case investigator with the Loudoun County Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health.
- You will be asked who you have been around and where you spent time during the period that you may have been capable of spreading COVID-19 to others, which is 48 hours prior to a positive test or the onset of symptoms. By providing this information, the Health Department is then able to provide resources and guidance to others who may be infected.
- You will be asked to stay home and away from others. This is known as home isolation.
- You will be asked to monitor your health.
- You will have the opportunity to have your questions or concerns addressed.
If you were around anyone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 and they identified you as a possible close contact, someone from the Loudoun County Health Department may call or text you. This caller will identify themselves as a contact tracer with the Loudoun County Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health. As a contact of someone who is sick with COVID-19:
- You will be asked to self-quarantine by staying home and away from others until you are no longer at risk of developing COVID-19 from your close contact.
- You will be asked to monitor your health.
Your Privacy is Protected
Any discussion you have with the Health Department is confidential. Your name and private health information will not be shared with those you came in close contact with; the Health Department will only notify people who you were in close contact with (within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) that they might have been exposed to COVID-19. Health Department staff will ask for basic demographic information but will NOT ask for money or information such as a Social Security Number, bank account details, or credit card numbers.
Technology Supporting Contact Tracing
The Health Department staff will offer to enroll individuals in a voluntary contact monitoring platform called
Sara Alert, which individuals can use to update the Health Department on their health status during the period of time they are participating in public health monitoring.
Every 24 hours, Sara Alert sends a text message or an email with a link to an online symptom checklist to report any symptom(s) that they are currently experiencing. The Health Department may again reach out to any individual who reports new symptoms to make a public health recommendation such as seeking medical attention, getting tested, or extending the quarantine time frame.
The Sara Alert system is secure and always contacts users from the same phone number or email: 844-957-2721 or notifications@saraalert.org.
Do Your Part to Slow the Spread
You can help protect yourself, your family, and the Loudoun community by talking with us when we call and by following guidance for how long to stay home and away from others, which may include:
If you have COVID-19:
- Stay home and away from others.
- Monitor your health and report your symptoms.
If you were in contact with someone with COVID-19:
- Stay home and away from others.
- Get tested.
- Monitor your health and report your symptoms.
Learn more about contact tracing and case investigations: