DETROIT _ Public health workers in Michigan and other states have reached out to people who may have been infected with coronavirus and trained volunteers in contact tracing, the process of tracking and calling people who might be infected, health officials said Monday.
Here are some frequently asked questions about contact tracing:
Q: What is it?
A: The term, contact tracing, is medical jargon that has seeped into mainstream usage by public health officials for the process of tracking how an infection, in this case, the coronavirus, has spread and who might have it. In the absence of testing, it's a way to quickly identify people who might have it before symptoms appear _ or if there are no symptoms _ to identify virus carriers.
Q: How does contact tracing work?
A: When there is a known case of infection, public health officials and volunteers try to follow a trail of all the people that person might have spread the virus to and one-by-one, they contact them to warn them that they also may be infected. It can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive process.
In addition to 2,200 volunteers, Michigan also has 130 paid public health workers who are working with local public health offices to identify and contact Michiganders. By mapping physical contact, the state may uncover patterns or hotspots where the virus is being spread.
Q: Why is it being done?
A: Scientists are trying to understand the virus, how it is spread, why some people get life-threatening symptoms and others don't, and the best way to treat it or innoculate people from its effects.
So far, the virus appears to spread primarily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. This is why public health officials are urging people to stay at least 6 feet apart and to wear face coverings.
However, given that tests and personal protection gear is limited, contact tracing can help detect who might have been exposed to an infection and might need medical treatment or take precautions to avoid infecting others.
Q: Has contact tracing been done before?
A: Yes. Contact tracing has been used with tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable infections like measles and sexually transmitted infections. The goals are to stop the spread, to alert people who might be infected and to collect information that might gather valuable information that can help public health officials and scientists.
Q: If I get a call, how do I know it's legitimate?
A: If you are concerned about a call you receive from your state or local health department.
Q: What are the main symptoms of the infection?
A: Current symptoms reported for patients have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Q: Once I get it, can I get it again?
A: This is a key question that the CDC and other agencies are investigating. There have been reports that people tested positive, recovered and were later reinfected. But public health officials aren't sure.
Q: Is there a cure or a vaccine?
A: Not yet, but in most cases, people who are infected recover.
