Local Partners Now Performing COVID-19 Investigation & Contact Tracing

East Wenatchee, WA – The Chelan-Douglas Health District announces that all investigations of COVID-19 cases and subsequent contact tracing are now being performed locally by the health district, Confluence Health, Columbia Valley Community Health and Cascade Medical.

Investigations had previously been performed by the Washington State Department of Health.

People who have had a positive COVID-19 test, or who have been exposed to someone who is infected with the virus, will now be contacted by their local healthcare provider or by the health district.

“The change to local contact allows infected people and their close contacts to more rapidly receive the information needed to protect family, friends and coworkers from infection,” said Alex Rodriguez-Pantaleon, COVID-19 case and contact coordinator for CDHD. “It will also reduce the number of telephone calls people receive, and calls will come from trusted, well-known local organizations.”

The follow-up of positive COVID-19 tests is an important part of the control of the pandemic in our area, Rodriguez-Pantaleon said. The new system should make the process more rapid, complete and effective in preventing additional infections, he added.

Rodriguez-Pantaleon stressed that during investigations, information shared with CDHD and its partners will not be disclosed to external sources beyond Chelan and Douglas counties. In addition, people will not be asked to provide information such as social security numbers, legal status or other personal information.

For frequently asked questions about contact tracing, go to: https://cdhd.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/Contact-Tracing-Q-A.pdf. Or, if you would like to speak with someone at the health district, contact its COVID-19 Department at 509-886-6493, extension 493.

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