What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is one tool in Hawaii’s multi-pronged approach to slow the spread of COVID-19. If you test positive, you can be our best contact tracer. Much like you would warn your friends and family about a bad experience, tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, you are the best person to contact those you have been close with. Learn more about Identifying and Talking to Your Close Contacts. If you do not know your potential close contacts, a contact tracer may already be assigned to your case.

Contact tracers advise exposed individuals whether they should get tested and other steps to take. Any information contacts share with the contact tracer is kept confidential.

A contact tracer will help you understand your exposure risk as well as your risk of infecting others and may ask about symptoms, offer testing advice, and discuss next steps such as quarantine, self-isolation and when to seek medical care.

Contact tracers intervene and slow the spread of infection in our communities.

How does contact tracing work for COVID-19?

Contact tracers like Eleanor (left) and Lauren (right) help contain the leading edge of COVID-19’s spread in our community.

It is common for a person that tested positive for COVID-19 to notify their close contacts.

You may be contacted by a Department of Health contract tracer if you are part of a cluster.

Contact tracers will not share information about who may have exposed you to the virus. This information is confidential.

If you become a close contact and are not contacted by a contact tracer, follow this summary guidance: Identifying and Talking to Your Close Contacts and this Home Care Guide.

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. A contact tracer will not ask about your immigration status. You will not be asked for your Social Security number or payment information.

Hawai‘i has strict privacy laws to protect your information. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health stores data with strict privacy and security storage standards. The data is only collected and stored for use by the Hawai‘i Department of Health.

What to expect if a contact tracer contacts you:

  • They will not share information about who tested positive. This information is confidential.
  • They will help you understand your risk for infecting others
  • They will advise you how to prevent further spread, with steps such as self-quarantine.
  • They may ask questions about places you’ve been and people you’ve spent time with.
  • They will ask you to monitor potential symptoms and provide advice if you do develop symptoms.
  • They will determine if you should get tested and provide instructions and resources to self-isolate.
  • Your personal information is confidential and will not be shared.
  • They will not ask about your immigration status.

Further instructions for Isolation and Exposure for K-12 Schools. Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs including DHS Registered Family Child Care Home Providers, Licensed Group Child Care Center Providers, Group Child Care Home Providers, Infant and Toddler Child Care Providers and Before and After School Child Care Providers should refer to DHS Guidelines for Child Care Facilities to Reopen or Continue Care for guidance.

Read more about what to do if a person at your worksite has COVID-19.

Tips to protect others around you:
  • If you find out you have COVID-19, it’s important to isolate yourself from others so they don’t catch this contagious virus. If possible, have your caregiver(s) follow the recommendations linked here.
  • People you live with are close contacts and should monitor for symptoms. Your contact tracer may recommend they also get tested.

Read more from the CDC: Contact Tracing for COVID-19.

Contact Tracing Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Who is a close contact?

Anyone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period starting 2 days before the patient began feeling sick and regardless of masks worn by either person.

Who should get tested?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider to discuss whether you should get tested. These symptoms commonly include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Those at higher risk for severe disease should call a healthcare provider if they have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. These include older people and those with chronic medical conditions and/or weakened immune systems.

What if I have symptoms and have not been contacted by the health department?

Get tested and follow isolation guidelines.

Schedule a free telehealth appointment with a licensed clinician here: hawaiiutelehealth.org.

Contact
Kaua‘i District Health Office 808-241-3563
O‘ahu (Disease Reporting Line) 808-586-4586
Maui District Health Office 808-984-8213
Big Island District Health Office (Kona) 808-322-4877
Big Island District Health Office (Hilo) 808-933-0912

If I am a close contact of someone who is infected, should my family members get tested also?

No test is necessary unless symptoms develop or you (the close contact) become sick or test positive for COVID-19.