An analysis of case investigation and contact tracing metric data reported by 56 U.S. health departments found wide variation in capacity and ability to conduct timely and effective contact tracing. A median of 57% of COVID-19 patients were interviewed within 24 hours of report of the case to a health department; a median of 1.2 contacts were identified and prioritized for interview per patient; and a median of 55% of contacts were notified within 24 hours of identification by a patient.<\/p>\n
When departments\u2019 caseloads of COVID-19 were higher, the percentage of COVID-19 patients interviewed within 24 hours and the number of contacts identified per patient were both lower. The inverse relationship suggests that increases in staffing capacity might help reduce delays in interviewing patients and identify more contacts, according to the authors.<\/p>\n
Spencer et al. (Jan 22, 2021). COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Efforts from Health Departments \u2014 United States, June 25\u2013July 24, 2020. MMWR. <\/i>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.mm7003a3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An analysis of case investigation and contact tracing metric data reported by 56 U.S. health departments found wide variation in capacity and ability to conduct timely and effective contact tracing. A median of 57% of COVID-19 patients were interviewed within 24 hours of report of the case to a health department; a median of 1.2…<\/p>\n