Fraser Health announces new online contact tracing option

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Fraser Health region can now complete a new contact tracing form available on the health authority’s website.

The form provides health officials with information on an individual’s personal identifiers, symptoms, and potential exposure contacts. Once a contact tracing form is submitted, public health follows up with everyone identified on the form.

“As the majority of new COVID-19 cases in our region are between the ages of 20 and 39, we are providing a new, more convenient option for our contact tracing process based on the feedback we have received,” said Fraser Health in a release.

Fraser Health also reminded people that they are “legally bound” by BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to protect privacy.

“That means we will treat your personal information confidentially; only use and share it for authorized purposes, and securely store and protect it. Our staff are trained in how to protect your privacy and keep your personal information confidential.”

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The health authority currently has the capacity to conduct 600 case investigations within 24 hours of receiving lab confirmation, and the new contact tracing form “will add capacity to do more in a short timeframe.”

As part of their efforts, Fraser Health is hiring and redeploying staff to support contact tracing. To date, the health authority has redeployed more than 100 people and has recruited and trained more than 500 new hires, as well as PHSA and Statistics Canada staff.

People living in the Fraser Health region can also use the BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool and get tested as soon as they have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. Patients can book or drop by one of the health authority’s test collection centres, which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice.