Case investigation and contact tracing are an essential part of the COVID-19 response pdf icon[62 pages]. Prompt isolation of people diagnosed with COVID-19, and identification and quarantine of close contacts, can effectively interrupt disease transmission and reduce spread of SARS CoV-2.
When implemented quickly, contact tracing, along with other community mitigation efforts work together to reduce transmission.
Where increases in COVID-19 cases strain resources, health departments may need to prioritize case investigation and contact tracing.Health departments experiencing surge or crisis situations around COVID-19 should prioritize interviews of people who tested positive for or were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 6 days (based on.