Covid Tracer

We look at the job of a contact tracer during the coronavirus pandemic.

These are the health detectives who track who a positive Covid-19 person has come in contact with.

If you've come into contact with someone who's tested positive for the coronavirus, you may have received a phone call from a covid-19 contact tracer.

But what exactly does that mean for you?

News 12's joeli poole explains.

In tennessee there have been over 700 thousand coronavirus tests performed.

More than 38 thousand of those tests have been positive.

If your family member or friend has tested positive for the coronavirus, you may receive a phone call from a health department contact tracer notifying you about the positive test result.

Zach north/contact tracer "we are contacting people that live within the home of a positive case and anybody you shared intimate contact with.

We call those non household contacts.

Anybody you spent more than 10 mins with and within 6 feet of that person."

Joeli poole "health officials say once you have been notified that you have come into contact with a person who is positive for covid-19, you are encouraged to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days."

Even though the tennessee department of health has an office in hamilton county they only notify people in the 10 surrounding counties, so if you live in hamilton county, it is likely that someone from the county health department will call you with the notification.

Contact tracer, zach north says it's important that if you are notified, that you take it seriously.

North "answer the phone whenever the tennessee department of health is calling.

It's the most effective way to identify and isolate the infection in our community.

The virus is very efficient in transmitting itself.

We have to match that enthusiasm in combating it."

So if you are contacted regarding a positive test result in your family or friends, head to a testing center right away.

Most tests are free- and it could save your life or the life of someone you love.

For more information about testing centers and statistics go to wdef dot com.

In chattanooga, joeli poole, news 12 now.

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