AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Public Health officials say their ability to do contract tracing for COVID-19 cases has become challenging, given the spread of the disease.
APH says the caseload is growing exponentially, and while they continue to hire new case investigators, residents need to do their part to protect themselves and others.
"Our concern is that the public may be relying on Austin Public Health contact tracing to contain this," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "Contact tracing in this time of uncontrolled widespread transmission is not going to be as effective, especially if people continue to have increased contact with others outside of their household. We're asking that people not depend on contact tracing at this stage of the outbreak, but instead lend us their support and engagement to join our mission to slow the spread of this relentless virus once again."
Health officials, including Escott, are slated to give their weekly update to the media on APH's response to the virus Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m.
APH says it's facing the need to prioritize contact tracing in alignment with guidance from the CDC. That prioritization, officials say, is based on vulnerability, congregate settings and workplaces, and healthcare facilities, including long-term care facilities.
The asymptomatic nature of COVID-19, combined with delays in testing results due to lab processing, makes the ability to get a positive case's contacts more difficult.
Because of the delay in testing results, APH says anyone who is waiting on results should self-isolate immediately to help prevent the disease from spreading, including isolating from other family members. The city has an isolation facility available for those who cannot otherwise isolate themselves; call 512-810-7554 for more details.
"If you have symptoms, you need to act like you have COVID-19, we are at that point in the spread right now," said Janet Pichette, APH Chief Epidemiologist.
With Independence Day approaching, officials say everyone needs to celebrate responsibly by avoiding non-household gatherings, including gatherings with extended family and friends. Remember to:
- Stay home, especially if you are sick
- Wear a mask or face covering
- Wash your hands
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay six-feet away from others
- And, disinfect surfaces
