contact

To safely begin reopening the economy, America will need to rely on so-called disease detectives to track the novel coronavirus and contain new emerging outbreaks before they grow out of control. This work, known as “contact tracing,” is critical for state plans to relax social distancing without inviting a sudden resurgence of Covid-19 cases. All…

Last week’s contact-tracing controversy — which Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer described as an “unnecessary distraction” — has stalled plans for 3,500 volunteers to begin calling Michiganders who may be infected with the coronavirus.It’s unclear when work will start or what companies will be hired to assist in the effort after the state canceled two contracts with vendors last week, health department…

Malachi Stewart, with the Washington D.C. health department, works full-time as a contact tracer for the COVID-19 response. D.C. plans to increase its contract tracing workforce in the near future. Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption toggle caption Ryan Kellman/NPR States are eager to open up and get people back to work, but how do they do…

(CNN)Thousands of Americans could soon join the ranks of disease detectives in one of the most important battles against coronavirus. Contact tracing has helped slow or stop previous epidemics, such as the SARS and Ebola outbreaks. But it's never been more …

Governments around the world are proposing contact tracing as a way of limiting the spread of coronavirus after lockdown.Nations are recruiting thousands of people to do the task manually, but smartphones apps that can automate the process will also have a role to play.BBC Click's Chris Fox explains what contact tracing is, and some of…