King County's Contact Tracing Efforts See Mounting Success

SEATTLe, WA — King County's ongoing contact tracing efforts are building momentum, reaching the point where a few dozen investigators can process approximately 500 new coronavirus cases each week, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County.

The newly available data can now be found on the county's new case investigation and contact tracing dashboard, updated weekly on Wednesdays.

King County's efforts to date have outperformed case investigation and contact tracing across much of the state. The Washington Department of Health published its first statewide report Wednesday, finding room for improvement overall and noting that missing contact information and unreturned calls hampered some investigations.

In King County, public health officials said its team of more than 60 contact tracers and case investigators successfully interview about 85 percent of positive cases and reach 90 percent of their contacts each week. About 80 percent of those interviewed report staying home before they are contacted with positive results, helping to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Investigators can also refer contacts to testing options near them and help connect patients with grocery delivery, financial assistance and health care options.

Other highlights the county found in the data include:

• Contact tracers interview two-thirds of cases on the same day that they learn about them.
• Most people with COVID-19 have been infectious for 7 days before their contact tracing interview.
• 80 percent of people with COVID-19 are in isolation at the time of their contact tracing interview, but only half went into isolation before getting a test.

How to know when contact tracers are calling

Residents who receive calls from official contact tracers should see one of following pop up on their caller ID:

• Public Health
• WA Health
• 206-263-8480
• 206-263-0267

What to expect if you are called by a contact tracer

From Public Health - Seattle & King County:

"Contact tracers will first confirm that they are speaking to the right person by confirming your name, address, and date of birth. They will not ask about your Social Security number, finances or immigration status — and they will not reveal your name to others.
They will then ask about your symptoms, where you have been, and who you have been with. It is important that you answer those questions to the best of your ability. Your answers will help the contact tracers identify other people who may be infected and limit the spread of COVID-19.

The contact tracers will also tell you where to get tested and get the support you need to stay in isolation and protect your family, friends, co-workers, and fellow community members."