By Chris Brown

Contact tracing

AHS limiting close contacts it notifies, asks some Albertans to notify their own

Nov 6, 2020 | 11:00 AM

A record number of COVID-19 cases confirmed daily in the province is requiring an unprecedented volume of contact tracing for Alberta Health Services.

AHS is now changing its approach, limiting the number of close contact they will notify directly and is asking some Albertans to notify their own close contacts.

AHS will continue to directly notify close contacts of cases of COVID-19 confirmed in three priority groups only: health care workers, minors (parents will be notified if their child has been exposed in the school setting) and individuals who live or work within congregate or communal facilities.

“AHS will no longer directly notify individual close contacts of positive cases that are confirmed outside of these three priority groups at this time,” states a release.

“Instead, Albertans who are not within these priority groups who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be asked to notify their own close contacts of the exposure. Event organizers will also still be directed to notify event attendees of an exposure and workplaces will be informed by AHS of a case and directed to send out the notification to employees.”

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A new webpage has been created at ahs.ca/closecontacts to aid Albertans in the notification process. The webpage includes phone call scripts and email/text content that Albertans can use when notifying their own close contacts, as well as guidelines and worksheets to help identify and track those requiring notification.

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AHS will continue to directly contact all positive cases of COVID-19 to notify them of the result, identify priority contacts whom AHS will notify, and provide the case with guidance on notification of their own contacts.

AHS defines close contacts as anyone who was within two metres of a positive case of COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, even if a mask was worn during that contact. A close contact is also someone who has had direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who has COVID-19 (e.g., was coughed or sneezed on), or who provided direct care for a person who has COVID-19. Anyone who falls into any of the above categories is considered a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The identification and notification of close contacts of COVID-19 remains critical to Alberta’s fight against COVID-19, says AHS. Rapid notification of close contacts ensures that those exposed can isolate and get tested before potentially spreading disease to others.

AHS also continues to hire more staff and develop additional, innovative approaches to augment the contact tracing team.

“This pilot approach will improve the efficiency of all contact tracing and allow the contact tracing team to focus on populations at greatest risk of illness and further spread,” states the release.

“As we move these changes forward, it’s imperative that all Albertans consider limiting their social bubble. To the extent that we limit the number of contacts we each have, we can further reduce the risk and scope of exposures when a case is confirmed.”

For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, all Albertans can visit ahs.ca/covid.