Contact Tracing
What are contacts?
Contacts are people who have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who tested positive for COVID-19 up to two days prior to the symptom onset or date of positive test, and up to ten days after.
What does close contact mean?
Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes in one day). Contacts are considered exposed and may need to quarantine.
Why do Contact Tracers ask me about contacts?
Contact Tracers ask about contacts to determine trends and patterns of exposure. It also aides in determine quarantine protocols so that your contacts do not get sick or are identified as soon as they get sick so that they can receive the appropriate resources.
Do I have to participate in contact tracing?
Participation in contact tracing is highly encouraged for everyone by the University in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep campus safe and open for everyone.
If you live on campus, you are required to participate. The housing contact you signed for the 2020-2021 school year includes the following statement:
“I understand that despite all efforts on the part of the University, I can still contract COVID-19 or other infections. To reduce my risk, I agree to comply with all University rules, regulations, guidelines and policies, as well as local, state and federal guidelines, which include, but are not limited to, wearing facial coverings, maintaining social distancing, consenting to COVID-19 symptom checks, testing, self-quarantining and/or isolating as may be required by the University, and also participating, in good faith, with the University and appropriate medical professionals for contact tracing relating to potential transmission of COVID-19.”
If you live on campus, you are required to participate. The housing contact you signed for the 2020-2021 school year includes the following statement:
“I understand that despite all efforts on the part of the University, I can still contract COVID-19 or other infections. To reduce my risk, I agree to comply with all University rules, regulations, guidelines and policies, as well as local, state and federal guidelines, which include, but are not limited to, wearing facial coverings, maintaining social distancing, consenting to COVID-19 symptom checks, testing, self-quarantining and/or isolating as may be required by the University, and also participating, in good faith, with the University and appropriate medical professionals for contact tracing relating to potential transmission of COVID-19.”
When I provide contact information for individuals I encountered while I was infectious with COVID-19, is it anonymous and confidential?
We do everything we can to keep your identity anonymous and confidential.
However, your identity might already be known to your close contact, especially if it is a roommate or suitemate that you were in contact with during the infectious period.
However, your identity might already be known to your close contact, especially if it is a roommate or suitemate that you were in contact with during the infectious period.