Cooperation with contact tracers critical to defeat COVID-19

(Camden, NJ) – Thanks to the hard work, sacrifice, and determination of Camden County’s residents, we have successfully “flattened the curve,” but now our community faces the challenge of slowing the spread and keeping it down. The Camden County Department of Health is asking members of the community to be part of the solution by actively working with our team of contact tracers whenever they call.

“In addition to wearing a mask and social distancing, cooperating with the health department’s contact tracers may be the best way to help slow the spread of coronavirus in your community,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Health Department. “If you receive a call from our contact tracers because you have contracted COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with the disease, please do your part to keep your family and community safe by answering the call.”

Contact tracers connect with individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as other communicable diseases, to deliver critical assistance and to gather additional information which can be used to stop others from contracting or spreading the disease. Contact tracers collect information for health purposes only and never share this information with other agencies like law or immigration enforcement.

Individuals who work with our contact tracers will never have their names revealed on related calls without their permission.

“Our contact tracing team is never going to persecute or shame someone for their actions, their only goal is to identify whether other people were exposed to the virus and then stop them from spreading it further,” Rodriguez said. “We know that these can be awkward conversations, but they are absolutely critical to our ability to contain this virus. If you want to protect your friends, family, and neighbors, working with out contact tracing team is just as important as wearing a mask.”

The Health Department will never ask individuals contacted for the purposes of contact tracing for sensitive, personal information such as social security numbers, credit card information, or other private data.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, a contact tracer might call you to check-in on your health, discuss who you’ve been in contact with, and ask you to stay at home to self-isolate.

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 (within six feet of a person for at least 15 minutes), a contact tracer might call to inform you that you’ve been exposed. They will ask you to stay at home and self-quarantine, and they will provide additional information regarding testing and how to protect the people around you.

By making the choice to help the Camden County Health Department in the fight against COVID-19, you are keeping yourself, your family, and your community safe.

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