What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is a process done by local and state health departments to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Public health officials work with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to help them recall everyone they may have had close contact with when they were infectious. Public health officials then notify these contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Contacts are provided with education, information, and support to understand their risk, testing, next steps, and how to monitor themselves for illness.