Information on Contact Tracing

Milford Health Department has been doing contact tracing and disease investigation since the first case of COVID-19 in our community in March 2020. The department continues to utilize our Public Health Nurses and Contact Tracing Staff to conduct case investigations and contact tracing in Milford.  

When the Health Department is notified of a positive test result for COVID-19, we open an investigation which uncovers all the places and people the case was in contact with, starting 48 hours before their symptoms began. This tracing includes household contacts, workplace contacts, healthcare contacts, and other close community contacts. Based on Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidance, factors we consider when defining a close contact include how long a person was exposed to the sick person (generally more than 15 minutes), their proximity to one another (6ft. or less), and how sick the person was when the exposure occurred.

Health Department staff  then reaches out to everyone identified as being at risk from exposure (“close contacts”) to inform them of the exposure, provide instructions for next steps, and connect the contact to resources that can support them as they watch for symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Contact tracers will be in touch with you if you test positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. You will see CT COVID TRACE or the number for your local health department on your caller ID. It is very important that you answer the call.

Protect Your Information-The information asked of you and provided to you during contact tracing is intended to help you stay safe. Contact tracers will also share information and resources with you on COVID-19 prevention. Contact tracers will never:

• Identify you as the source of information with others in your community.
• Share your personal or medical information, without your permission, to anyone outside of the contact tracing work.            
• Give your name or contact information to employers or immigration officials.
• Ask for your social security number or immigration status. 
• Ask for credit card information, bank information, or demand any type of payment.

Daily Check-ins- After the initial interview, contact tracers will ask for your consent to conduct daily check-ins to see how you are feeling. You have the choice of participating by phone or by survey through email or text message. Emails will be sent from SVC-Covid19@ct.gov and text messages will be sent from (855) 670-0299. If you decide not to participate by email or text, you will receive daily phone calls from CT COVID TRACE or your local health department. 

Test positive for COVID-19: Here is what you should know

To learn more about Connecticut’s contact tracing program click here 

For more information on contact tracing click here