Here’s how DHEC’s disease detectives track the spread of coronavirus in SC
A person who tests positive for the coronavirus will be getting a call or a visit from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
That interview is part of what’s called a “contact investigation” and it is DHEC’s go-to tool for tracking and possibly preventing the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
During interviews, officials try to track down the people the patient had face-to-face contact with in recent days, said DHEC Epidemiologist Linda Bell.
Bell said DHEC’s investigations won’t focus on more ephemeral interactions, such as other people who may have been at a grocery store or restaurant with the coronavirus patient. Rather, they are looking for high-risk contacts such as coworkers, close friends and family members.
“We want to make clear, we’re not able to identify every single contact because what the person who is ill tells us is what we have to go on,” she said. “We prioritize who we can reach, focusing on high-risk, close face-to-face contacts. We don’t attempt to pursue individuals in grocery stores or things like that because the individual who is sick would not be able to provide that history.”
DHEC has 60 people on staff who can help conduct these investigations. The investigations are done by epidemiologists and epidemiology nurses who work with DHEC physicians, according to DHEC spokeswoman Laura Renwick.
These contact investigations have been key in Camden, which is the only part of the state in which the virus has spread among members of the community.
“What we’ve done in Camden with the contacts is we’ve provided the guidance for them to self-quarantine if they are a close contact and we determine they are at potential risk so that they monitor symptoms for 14 days,” Bell said. “We advise them of the symptoms to look for: a fever, a cough, sort throat, shortness of breath. And we give them information on who to call if they develop symptoms during the quarantine period.”
As more cases of the coronavirus are reported in the state, DHEC’s ability to use these investigations will face an even greater test.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 5:00 AM.