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You can now anonymously reach out to others who may have contracted COVID from you

Posted at 7:39 PM, Oct 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-20 20:40:42-04

WISCONSIN (NBC 26) -- Public health departments across northeast Wisconsin continue having difficulties with contact tracing. Many just don't have enough resources to reach out to everyone who may have been infected through close contact with others. But a new resource for contact tracers and the public could make it easier to let many know they may be infected, and it lets people do so, anonymously.

Contact tracing continues to be a challenge for state and county public health departments across Wisconsin.

"We are still at the point where we need to be asking for assistance from the public," says Kimberly Goffard of the Winnebago County Public Health Department.

Goffard says one thing anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should do, is reach out to their close contacts to potentially get tested and avoid close contact with others. Those who tested positive are also encouraged to reach out to anyone they were within six feet of for more than 15 minutes, for as many as two days before testing positive or showing symptoms.

"Many people are notifying their close contacts before we even get to talk to them about their test results," add Goffard.

But not everyone is comfortable reaching out to others after their results come in. That's why DHS is offering a new service online for anyone who tests positive to utilize.

"It's an anonymous service but you may be able to put some details into the email that you think are important for the people to know," says Goffard.

The website allows your contacts to text or email multiple people at once anonymously so that they can know it's likely time for them to get tested as well, or at the least quarantine.

"And it's a good idea now to start thinking about that. What if I get a text or I get an email or call, that said I was a close contact."

Goffard, says now is a good time to prepare for the call. Making sure you have a game plan regarding work, medications, groceries and even schoolwork that all has to get done while quarantining.

The next step, for those who receive the notification, is to quarantine. Even before results come back Goffard says you should keep in mind that the person reaching out to you will likely tell you when you were last in contact, and that's an important date to remember.

"So, you need to quarantine for 14 days from whenever that last contact occurred. So if that last contact was five days ago you only have to quarantine for nine additional days."

And while receiving an anonymous text or email might catch you off guard and may even rub you the wrong way, public health leaders hope it can be an additional tool in helping slow the spread of this deadly virus.

If you do get a notification that you were in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, public health officials say you do not need to notify others, unless you become symptomatic or your test results come back positive. For links to the anonymous email and texting service check out this link from the Department of Health Services.