Contact Tracing Is Not Working Very Well

The New York Times published an article (not behind a paywall) that describes what a contact tracer in Los Angeles is facing. People are either amazingly unaware of their daily lives and/or fearful of giving out information for whatever reason, or maybe no reason. If what the NYT reported is reasonably representative of what contact tracers everywhere in the US are facing, we probably cannot effectively trace COVID-19 infections in this country.

This is an example of what can happen after decades of right wing propaganda sowing distrust in government, i.e., people distrust government.

Here are a couple of examples of how people are responding, or more accurately, often failing to respond:

Case 2
Two attempted calls.
Telephone call at 11 a.m. Unable to complete interview since case had a “work call” to attend to. Telephone call on 7/29 at 10 a.m. to conduct interview. Case stated that roommate has tested positive, but not sure about exposure. Denied any other contacts outside of household. Case thinks exposure may be from going to the beach, and denied any other contact/exposure. Case provided roommate information to be contacted by Contact Tracer.

Case 5
Seven attempted calls.
Left voice message at 9:16 a.m., and again at 2:05 p.m. Able to contact patient at 3:25 p.m. and call dropped mid-interview. Case was anxious about getting “excuse” for work. Reassured that Health Officer Order may be of assistance. Called back and voice message again. 7/29 Checked work voice mail and have a message from case. Telephone call on 7/29 at 10:44 a.m. and left message. Attempted to connect with case and left message at 11:56 a.m. Attempted to contact case at 2:07 p.m. and left voice message. Attempted to contact case at 4:02 p.m. and left message. 

Case 8
Two attempted calls.
Left voice message at 11:08 a.m. Attempted to contact case and able to conduct interview after lunch. Case is an elderly lady who lives alone. Tested positive prior to a medical procedure. Assured me that her family is doing the “right thing” to stop the spread by testing and “cleaning everything.” Case was very thankful for the phone call, and listened attentively, but was adamant about NOT providing contact information.

Case 11
One attempted call.
Family member of case #11. May have been exposed at workplace. Able to add other household members who have not tested nor have symptoms. Was not comfortable to provide individual cell number, and preferred to have case #11 cell number since they live in same household. Case was gracious enough to help with some contact information, and able to gain essential information to and connect to positive cases.