COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing: Early Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities

Abstract

Context: Case investigation and contact tracing are fundamental public health strategies for controlling and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Although the principles behind these strategies are not new, the capacity and operational requirements needed to support disease investigation during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic are unprecedented. This article analyzes the implementation of case investigation and contact tracing in controlling COVID-19 transmission during the early stages of the US pandemic response (January 20 through August 31, 2020). Program Implementation: Governmental public health agencies mobilized to expand case investigation and contact tracing programs in the early months of the pandemic. In doing so, they encountered a range of challenges that included rapidly scaling up the workforce; developing and subsequently revising guidance and protocols specific to COVID-19 as more was learned about the virus over time; defining job functions; encouraging public acceptance of and participation in case investigation and contact tracing; and assessing the utility of these activities during both the containment and mitigation phases of outbreak response. COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing programs presented an array of opportunities for health departments to innovate, especially around technology to support public health efforts, as well as opportunities to address health equity and advance community resilience. Conclusion: Lessons learned from disease intervention specialists, guidance and resources from federal agencies and national partners, and peer-to-peer exchange of promising practices can support jurisdictions encountering early implementation challenges. Further research is needed to assess COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing program models and innovations, as well as strategies for implementing these activities during containment and mitigation phases.

Lessons from countries implementing find, test, trace, isolation and support policies in the rapid response of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

“…Logistics A lack of public health funding may weaken outbreak preparedness. 99 Regionalisation of the healthcare system might result in fragmentation of the epidemic response and timely data availability. 22 Scarcity of healthcare resources creates major barriers to COVID-19 control.…”

Estimates of cases and hospitalizations averted by COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing in 14 health jurisdictions in the United States

“…1 Additionally, public acceptance and participation in CICT programs has been low in some jurisdictions. [2][3][4] Health departments were also challenged, particularly in the early phases of the pandemic, to balance financial and human resource allocations for these programs with other community-wide interventions and policies. 3,5 These difficulties, created considerable variation in how COVID-19 CICT was implemented across the United States.…”

“…[2][3][4] Health departments were also challenged, particularly in the early phases of the pandemic, to balance financial and human resource allocations for these programs with other community-wide interventions and policies. 3,5 These difficulties, created considerable variation in how COVID-19 CICT was implemented across the United States. 3 Several modeling studies suggest that CICT for COVID-19 can be effective; however, these were based on simulation data rather than data collected from health departments.…”

“…3,5 These difficulties, created considerable variation in how COVID-19 CICT was implemented across the United States. 3 Several modeling studies suggest that CICT for COVID-19 can be effective; however, these were based on simulation data rather than data collected from health departments. 6,7 While a few studies have reported on COVID-CICT program performance in the United States, only two studies systematically evaluated programs from multiple jurisdictions.…”

One Year After the Who Alert for Covid-19: What Is Next? / Um Ano Após O Alerta Da Oms Para Covid-19: O Que Vem a Seguir?

“…These implemented actions brought positive results in the containment of the novel coronavirus, reducing the evolution of new cases, but it also generated socioeconomic impact on countries, especially those that do not have public health policies aimed at facing respiratory epidemics and are more fragile both health system as well as financial resources (RUEBUSH, 2021).…”