Due to high community spread of COVID-19, contact tracers may not call you

OLMSTED COUNTY, Iowa. (ABC 6 News) – Community spread of COVID-19 is "causing a strain on our local public health system" in Olmsted County.

According to a press release, as of Sept. 11, the CDC COVID-19 data tracker shows the "average daily number of new cases is more than 180. Each individual who tests positive requires a case investigation and contact tracing."

The county said with the number of individuals testing positive each day it does not have the capacity to continue case investigations for every person testing positive for COVID-19.

Some individuals testing positive who have a valid cell phone number will receive a text message linking to an online Minnesota Department of Health reporting tool. They will be asked to respond with their email address and will receive a case investigation interview form via email. Anyone in the community who prefers to have an interview completed by OCPHS is welcome to call 507-328-7500.

“Olmsted County staff has been conducting investigations for the entire duration of the pandemic. Moving forward the county will frequently review prioritized groups and will conduct interviews based on case information from the community,” said OCPHS Director Graham Briggs.

OCPHS is asking any individual that tests positive for COVID-19 to:

• Stay home:
  • For at least 10 days since first experiencing symptoms.
  • Until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without medicine that reduces fevers).
  • Until your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.
  • Complete MDH case investigation survey if not called.
• Start a list of people you had contact with beginning two days before symptoms appeared.
  • Contact those individuals on your list and advise them that you have tested positive for COVID-19. Please also inform them to:
    • Stay home for 14 days from when they last had close contact with you.
    • Seek COVID-19 testing 3-5 days from when they last had close contact with you.
• Contact your employer, school, or child care about your diagnosis.
• Avoid contact with others, even those in your household.
• Seek professional medical care if needed by calling your healthcare provider or 911 for a medical emergency.