Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

September 22, 2020

COVID-19 Contact Tracing in Two Counties — North Carolina, June–July 2020

Category:

Topic:

Keywords (Tags):

  • During periods of high COVID-19 incidence in two counties in North Carolina, many people with COVID-19 did not report any contacts, many contacts were not reached, and the typical time needed to notify contacts likely reduced the impact of contact tracing as a mitigation strategy. In one county, 48% of COVID-19 patients reported no contacts, and 25% of contacts were not reached. In another, 35% of COVID-19 patients reported no contacts, and 48% of contacts were not reached. The median interval from specimen collection from the index patient to notification of identified contacts was 6 days in both counties. .

Lash et al. (Sept 22, 2020). COVID-19 Contact Tracing in Two Counties — North Carolina, June–July 2020. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6938e3