MONTGOMERY-The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) continues its policy of conducting contact tracing as part of its investigation process for COVID-19. Contract tracing and self-quarantining of people with COVID-19 and their close contacts are critical to help slow the spread of the virus.
Public health and contract staff conduct case investigations, elicit information from the case about exposed persons, and then reach out to the contacts. All public health districts in Alabama, including the Jefferson County Department of Health and the Mobile County Health Department, conduct investigations.
“Investigations have not stopped,” Dr. Wes Stubblefield, ADPH district medical officer, said. “Information is also provided to the person with COVID-19 and contacts about isolation and quarantine recommendations, self-care, when to seek additional care, and general infection control practices that include masking and social distancing.”
Dr. Wes Stubblefield
ADPH prioritizes investigations when daily case counts exceed capacity to investigate all cases. Contact tracing is done as part of the investigation. ADPH relies on schools to notify exposed students and staff and exclude them from classes appropriately and according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Long-term care, correctional facilities, and other congregate living settings are required to report case information and conduct contact tracing and exposure notifications within their facilities as well.
Investigation and contact tracing resources are available at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/
Media Release/Wes Stubblefield, M.D./ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
