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COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in the US, 2020
R Ryan Lash1,2, Patrick K Moonan2, Brittany L Byers2
1Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
JAMA Network Open
|June 3, 2021
Summary
Contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) had a limited impact due to low case interview and contact notification rates. Testing contacts proved valuable for case finding, but overall transmission reduction was suboptimal.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Contact tracing is crucial for limiting SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
- Gaps in contact tracing processes lead to missed opportunities for COVID-19 prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the proportion of COVID-19 cases and their contacts reached by public health.
- To determine the time required for these reach efforts.
- To compare SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rates between contacts and the general public.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study at 13 health departments and 1 Indian Health Service Unit.
- Analysis of COVID-19 surveillance data from June to October 2020.
- Inclusion of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and their named contacts.
Main Results:
- Only 59% of cases were interviewed, and 33% named contacts.
- 71% of named contacts were notified, and 46% agreed to monitoring.
- Positive test prevalence was higher among contacts than the general population in most locations.
Conclusions:
- Contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2 had a suboptimal impact on transmission due to process gaps.
- Testing contacts is a high-yield activity for identifying new cases.
- Findings inform resource allocation for public health prevention strategies.
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