Spotlight - How ‘Disease Detectives’ Can Stop the Spread of COVID-19

The fight against COVID-19 has only just begun. As different areas of the country and the world begin to reopen, it is crucial that we explore ways to keep the virus contained and maintain control over any additional outbreaks. Some areas, such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona have already begun to see their numbers increase again. One of the most useful elements in containing an outbreak during a pandemic is by contact tracing. This involves finding people who have been—possibly unknowingly—exposed to the novel coronavirus by coming into contact with someone who has tested positive. Here’s why these so-called “disease detectives” are crucial and how you can help by becoming one.

What Is A Disease Detective?

Disease detectives (or contact tracers) are usually health care professionals of some kind—although they don’t have to be—who have a strong sense of empathy and excellent communication skills. It is the job of these professionals to contact people who have come into contact with others who have tested positive for the virus. This is a crucial step in containing an outbreak. By finding the people who have been exposed and encouraging them to quarantine, deadly new outbreaks could be stopped before they begin. Contact tracing is a fundamental aspect of public health, and it has been used in the past to successfully contain other outbreaks (measles, tuberculosis, etc.). Initially, contact tracing was more challenging because there simply weren’t enough tracers to effectively find every person who has been exposed.

Containing outbreaks quickly means that there may not be a need to enter a full economic shutdown again, allowing businesses to operate normally with social distancing measures in place. As long as these outbreaks can quickly be contained by stopping potential exposure as soon as possible, a second full shutdown might never be needed.

Challenges in Contact Tracing

The inherent nature of COVID-19 poses some unique challenges for those seeking to contain any potential new outbreaks. Infected individuals can go up to 14 days without showing any symptoms at all, and now health care officials know that asymptomatic carriers are also possible. In tracking the virus, contact tracers conduct interviews with individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. During these interviews, they will ask them about their movement in the days leading up to the onset of the illness. This includes any places where they may have been and people with whom they may have been in close contact—usually defined as closer than 6 feet—for more than 10 or 15 minutes. They will also try to obtain the names and contact information of people with whom they may have come into contact with, if possible.

This can sometimes prove to be a difficult task, as many people have privacy concerns over sharing information about where they’ve been and with whom, particularly when they are contacted by a stranger. These individuals will already have some information about their whereabouts in the past several days due to the nature of contact tracing. It can be an inherently off-putting situation for many people. However, it’s important to remember that these contact tracers will not share the names of the individuals who may have exposed you to the virus due to patient privacy laws. They will also not ask for your social security number, bank account information, or immigration status. If contact tracers call people multiple times and cannot reach them, then a letter will eventually be mailed to them.

The Aftermath

Contact tracers can provide support and connect individuals who have been exposed to the virus to health care services, social services, and any other support they may need. Contact tracers often have to communicate this information while also dealing with language and cultural barriers. Many people in the United States live paycheck to paycheck. For these individuals, having enough supplies to quarantine for 14 days may prove quite difficult. In these cases, contact tracers can help to connect them with social services.

Become A Contact Tracer

Individuals who are interested in becoming contact tracers should ideally possess compassion, good communication skills, and knowledge of the health care field. To be a contract tracer, you must be fluent in English. In addition, knowledge of a second language is beneficial. CONTRACE Public Health Corps is seeking individuals who are interested in becoming contact tracers, which could provide an ideal opportunity for retirees or anyone else with strong interpersonal skills and health care knowledge who is looking for additional work. As we begin to reopen the world, contact tracing will become an essential part of containing future outbreaks. Contacting individuals who are experiencing no symptoms but who may be carrying the virus is absolutely essential to controlling the spread.