PEORIA, Ill. — With the current spread of COVID-19 across the state, here is some insight to the investigation process of confirmed or suspected cases of the virus.
The investigations are called contact tracing. They begin with communication between healthcare providers, individuals, or other health departments with a confirmed case or contact.
An extensive interview process is a part of the investigation, asking questions to determine when the exposure occurred, assessing the risk, reviewing symptoms, and understanding the individual’s medical and work history.
Individuals who are under contact tracing are requested to self-quarantine. The local health department will work with the individual’s healthcare provider to determine if a COVID-19 test is needed.
During this process, others may be identified as “contacts of a contact”, meaning they may be someone who works or lives with a person who tests positive for the virus. Depending on the risk, the health department will ask that person to self-monitor their symptoms.
If you’ve been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 and are considered a medium or high risk, your local health department will be in contact with you and execute the contact tracing process. If you are considered a low risk, you will be asked to self-monitor symptoms, stay home, and practice social distancing.
Someone who is considered a medium or high risk is someone who had a long exposure to the positive case, such as a close work environment or living with the individual. If someone is considered a low risk, then they may have had a brief encounter with the positive case.
If you think you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, the first step is to call your healthcare provider on the phone and self-quarantine.
