CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in order to move back to normalcy, the world has to contact trace on a higher scale than ever before.
He noted with over 50,000 known cases in the state, that has meant finding 50,000 sets of contacts in just 60 days.
“It’s an unprecedented health challenge, so we need an unprecedented solution to meet this moment,” he said.
He said there will be a massive statewide contact tracing operation in the coming weeks, with an army of contact tracers by the hundreds and then thousands.
“Right now, based on our current rates of spread, we’re looking at a benchmark that could approach 30 workers per 100,000 residents,” he said.
He said that number will decrease when the state sees success in its new health measures.
Pritzker explained the way it will work is, when an individual tests positive, a contact tracer will reach out via app, text, e-mail, or phone call for an interview.
That patient will then be asked to gather contacts and retrace steps from 14 days prior.
Then, the contact who have been exposed will be notified they’ve been in proximity to a positive case, will be recommended to seek a test and self-isolate, and be offered resources on how to access any needed assistance for self-isolation, such as alternative housing, food delivery, and medication.
Pritzker said contacts will remain anonymous.
“Tracing is one of the most critical tools we have to reduce our spread rate, speed up our diagnoses, and seek to halt outbreaks before they happen,” he said.
“It means making sure you get notified if you’ve had contact with someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19 so you can do what’s necessary to keep you, your family, and your community safe.”
Dr. Ngozi Ezike with the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 3,137 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois.
Ezike also reminded parents to keep children up to date on vaccinations.
“Please check in with your pediatrician or pediatric provider to learn the guidelines you need to follow in order to make your visit as safe as possible,” she said.
“In addition to needing to see the doctor when you’re sick, these well visits are critical for monitoring growth and development. We assess hearing and vision, and we check for lead exposure, so these checkups, as well as the vaccination that are attendant with those are very critical.”
To stay healthy, Ezike said that we all must receive the proper health care.
The state’s total positive COVID-19 case count has reached 56,055. There have been 2,457 deaths.
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