CONTACT TRACING: How It Works

Contact tracing is an important step in slowing the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s when health workers notify you that you’ve been in contact with an infected person, and you should also get tested. Public health departments have used contact tracing for decades to fight infectious disease. California Connected, the State’s Contact Tracing Program

Under this program, health workers will talk to those who have tested positive. They’ll alert anyone they may have exposed, keeping names confidential. They’ll check symptoms, offer testing, and discuss next steps like self-isolation and medical care.

By finding spread patterns quickly, we slow infection and help avoid outbreaks. This lets California keep healthcare needs below capacity and safely reopen business.

All You Have to do is Answer a Phone Call

Contact tracing is an anonymous way to do your part. The more people answer the call, the more lives and jobs California saves. Your information is always kept confidential.

Early awareness helps you protect your friends and loved ones from exposure. And early medical care can improve your outcome.

The sooner we can reach you, the sooner you can get advice, testing, and support.

How Does Contact Tracing Work?

If you test positive for COVID-19:

• You will get medical care, regardless of income, health insurance, or immigration status.

• You will get advice on how to separate yourself from others to avoid spreading the disease.

• You will be asked basic questions like your name and age, the places you’ve been, and the people you’ve spent time with.

• Those people will be contacted and told they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

They will be offered testing and medical care.

• Your personal information is confidential.

If you are Exposed to COVID-19:

• You’ll get a call, text or email from your local public health department to inform you of this exposure.

• They will not share information about who may have exposed you. This information is confidential.

• You’ll get free, confidential testing, regardless of income, health insurance, or immigration status.

• They will help you understand your infection risk. They’ll tell you what to do immediately to prevent further spread.

• They will stay in touch to see if you develop symptoms.

• If you have symptoms, they will get you tested quickly. You will get resources to self-isolate.

• They may ask questions about the places you’ve been and the people you’ve spent time with.

• Your personal information is confidential and will not be shared.

Is the information I provide confidential?

•Yes. Your identity and health information is always kept private. It will not be shared with anyone who may have been exposed.

•No one will ask about your immigration status during testing, care or follow-up calls.

•You will never be asked for your Social Security number or payment information.

• California’s strict privacy laws protect all your information. California Connected maintains data with strict privacy and security storage standards.

• The data is only collected and stored for use by local and state public health departments.

If you find out you have COVID-19, it’s important to quarantine yourself from others so they don’t get sick.

People you live with are close contacts and should get tested.

To learn more, visit californiaconnected.ca.gov