Health officials urge community to comply with COVID-19 contact tracing

Lane County Public Health officials said that the goal is to contact an individual within 24 hours to begin contact tracing.

Coos is up five.

As always, there's a process to everything.

And with covid-19 cases rising quickly, there's all types of questions and concerns on the minds of community members.

From whether they've been exposed -- to if there's a backlog in hearing from health officials.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke to experts today to shed light on the contact tracing process.

I'm told the goal is to contact an individual within 24 hours--to begin contact tracing.

This is a process designed to identify people who might be sick or to let someone know that they may have been exposed to covid-19.

But health officials say they've run into some issues.

"once the contact tracing process begins.

Please do be forthright again this information is not used for any other purposes other than health purposes, we do not share it with any other governmental entity."

He says many are afraid to share where they've been or who they've been around.

So in a press conference tuesday for lane county public health, i had a question.

Bridge: i asked health officials what you can expect during the contact tracing process.

And about what could be causing any delays.

Here's what i found out.

I'm told there's many different things that could happen.

One being that many people don't answer their phones even after multiple attempts.

Also, sometimes the county is given incorrect information.

And he says others*believe they've been exposed and wait for a call that's not coming.

"we're gonna be doing the best we can.

And if our community can contribute to that effort by picking up the phone.

At least answering it and having the conversation with the individual given by, especially for if it's a 682 or 681 number."

And he says the county is rotating new staff- so yes, a backlog can happen.

But the goal, remains to inform anyone who's been exposed in the most timely way as possible.

Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy