September 2, 2020
What is contact tracing?
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
Contact tracing is a public health tool used to reach individuals who have contact with a person infected with a disease, such as COVID-19. Through this process, individuals are identified, informed about the infection and asked to either test or quarantine. Contact tracing is carried out by public health officials by asking patients to identify others with whom they may have come in contact.
Contact tracing is conducted through state and local county health departments. The university only conducts contact tracing as coordinated through Lafene Health Center and in support of these public health departments.
If you test positive for COVID-19:
- You should be contacted by trained contact tracing personnel to discuss who you have been in contact with or where you spent your time while you may have been infectious to others.
- The contact tracer will get in touch with any of your close contacts to inform them of their potential exposure.
- Your name will not be revealed to those you may have exposed, even if they ask.
If you are contacted by contact tracing personnel:
- The contact tracer will let you know if you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 and may advise you to quarantine for 14 days and to be tested.
- The contact tracer can provide COVID-19 testing resources. Students, faculty and staff can be tested at Lafene Health Center.
- The contact tracer may keep in touch to see how you are doing and if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
If you have questions about the contact tracing process or if you are concerned you are a close contact, please call Lafene Health Center at 785-532-6544 or call your health care provider.
Learn more about contact tracing and your health and wellness around COVID-19.