Contact Tracing Q & A

What is Contact Tracing? 

Contact tracing is a public health tool used to identify those who come into contact with people who have tested positive for many infectious diseases – such as measles, tuberculosis, STDs. Contact tracing is a public health activity that involves working with a person who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease (case) to identify and provide support to people (contacts) who may have been infected through exposure to the case. 

Where can I get more information about contact tracing in NJ? 

For more information about contact tracing, what it is and why it is an important public health disease prevention tool, go to: covid19.nj.gov/testandtrace

What types of questions will public health contact tracers ask? 

A public health contact tracer will most likely call to advise persons that they may be a contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 (case). The contact tracers will not identify the name of the case but will advise contacts about their potential exposure and might recommend testing.

Public health contact tracers will ask contacts about symptoms that may be COVID-19 related. They will ask about locations that the contact might have visited over the last few days, and if anyone living with the contact with was tested for COVID-19 or has symptoms. A contact tracer will never ask for information such as your social security number or bank account information. 

How did the public health contact tracers get my name and contact info/phone number? 

A public health contact tracer should provide their name and why they are calling. More than likely, your name and phone number were given to them by a person who tested positive for COVID-19 (case). Public health contact tracers are calling individuals (contacts) to let them know that they had close contact with a person who has COVID-19 (case). They will not tell you the case’s name. They will only tell you that you were in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

A public health contact tracer will contact you first by phone. If they are unable to get a hold of you, they may come to your home. Remember, the contact tracer’s job is to provide education, information, and support to individuals so they understand their risk, what they should do to separate themselves from others who are not exposed, monitor themselves for illness, and the possibility that they could spread the infection to others even if they themselves do not feel ill.

What should I do if I am called by a public health contact tracer? 

Speak with the contact tracer. The reason you have been called is because you may have come into contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 (case). The role of the public health contact tracer is to advise potential contacts about their risk for COVID-19 and provide recommendations about actions they can do to protect themselves and their community. 

If I am a confirmed “case” (tested positive for COVID-19) and I receive a call from the public health tracer, what types of questions will they ask me? 

A public health contact tracer will work with cases to identify "close contacts" (anyone who was within six feet for more than 10 minutes starting two days before symptoms began). If a case doesn’t have symptoms, the public health contact tracer will ask about activity during the two days before their COVID-19 diagnosis. They will also ask for the phone numbers of anyone who meets the criteria for a close contact so they can be notified. Your identity is kept anonymous and your information confidential. Potential contacts will NOT be told the name of the case. A contact tracer will never ask for information such as your social security number, bank account or credit card information or insurance information. 

What will the public health contact tracer do with my medical information? 

The public health contact tracer will not reveal your identity to individuals who you identify as contacts. Public health contact tracers take privacy and confidentiality seriously. Your personal health information is not shared outside of the public health investigation. Sharing the names and contact information of persons who are close contacts, with the public health contact tracer is an important way you can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

I have heard about scammers posing as public health contact tracers. How do I know if they are really contact tracers and not scammers? 

The call would come from a person legitimately working with a local health department. The contact tracer will provide follow-up resources and assure the person of their privacy. A contact tracer will never ask for information such as your social security number, bank account or credit card, or insurance information.

Hoax text messages regarding contact tracing are also circulating in NJ. This is a scam designed to steal your personal information. Never click on links in messages (texts or emails) from people you do not know.