To safely reopen without risking new COVID-19 outbreaks, states need enough staff to do the crucial work of contact tracing. We surveyed public health agencies to find out how much they have.
Several states that took our survey are making big efforts to shore up their contact tracing workforces. Notable examples include Louisiana and Kentucky, which are both planning to hire 700 people; Texas, which has 1,150 contact tracers and is hiring another 2,850 to start; and Kansas, which plans to bring on 400.
"North Dakota leadership believes widespread testing capacity paired with a robust contact tracing infrastructure are key components to rising above this current health challenge," Vern Dosch, contact tracing administrator for North Dakota wrote in a statement to NPR."We are committed to investing in the human resources and technology needed to make it happen. We are building tomorrow on facts, not fear.
Watson warns states against playing this by ear."This is really something we shouldn't undershoot," she says. Of course, public health officials need to keep a close eye on transmission and cases — more cases mean you need more contact tracers — but Watson says investing in contact tracing now is the smart move.
measures. Georgia spokesperson Nancy Nydam told NPR the state department of public health"the total number of contact tracers will vary widely by [health] district, so we are not yet able to put an exact number to it." She added that the state was engaging with medical students and possibly the National Guard, and that more information would be available in the coming days.
States that said they're seeking to expand contact tracing capacity are getting creative about finding the workforce. Nevada said it was recruiting volunteers for"a dramatic expansion" of its contact tracing capacity. Oklahoma is training 4th year medical residents to do contact tracing. Maine has recruited some recently retired epidemiologists. Georgia and Iowa are planning to call on the National Guard.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GOP governor: Hundreds asked about ingesting disinfectants after Trump coronavirus briefingGov. Larry Hogan said he had to put out a warning after a surge in calls asking about the president&39;s off-the-cuff medical advice at a White House briefing.
Read more »
We Asked Which House Shoes You Wear and Boy, Did You Answer'Yo, you’re really wearing those well.” From lime Birkenstocks with socks to tie-dye Crocs to fuzzy slippers, our men’s fashion editor found some surprising examples of house shoes.
Read more »
Stacey Abrams Says She Would Be Biden’s Running Mate If AskedIn a pair of interviews on Sunday, Abrams said that she “would be willing to serve” on the former Vice President’s ticket.
Read more »
Bad Education Reminds Us How Even the Most Obvious Corruption Can Flourish When No Questions Are AskedInspired by the true story of what happened in the Roslyn, New York, school district in 2002, Bad Education tells the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story of superintendent Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) and his business manager Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney).
Read more »
Coronavirus contact tracing: Government apps vs. Apple, Google - Business InsiderGovernments have to decide whether to scrap their own COVID-19 contact tracing apps in favor of tech built by Apple and Google. Here's what's at stake.
Read more »
Lawmakers warn coronavirus contact-tracing is ripe for abusive surveillanceSilicon Valley can come up with apps that might free Americans from home confinement. But Washington fears creating an invasive surveillance system.
Read more »