Ask The Answer Person: How does Winneshiek County Public Health conduct COVID-19 contact tracing?

(Jane e-mails The Answer Person: "When COVID cases are identified in Winneshiek County, what is being done to trace the source and contact others who might have been close to COVID in the period before symptoms appeared?"):

The Answer Person says: "This question is too tough for me, so I've turned to Winneshiek County Public Health Director Krista Vanden Brink for an answer to your question:

'Winneshiek County Public Health is doing contact tracing with the lab-confirmed positive cases.  Early on during the COVID-19 investigations, we were not specifically directed to do contact tracing, but we did ask the cases where they traveled (including local travel) and if others in the home were ill.

A lot has changed in the COVID-19 world and in our investigations. We have been doing extensive contact tracing for the past two to three months.  When we receive notice of a positive case, we contact the case and in addition to learning more about symptoms and travel history, we ask the case to identify people they were around, including gathering phone numbers.  Public Health then contacts each individual (via phone) who has been identified to learn more about the potential exposure and provide guidance accordingly.  If we call you, please answer the call to help slow the spread of COVID-19.'"