Public Health is facing a challenge in maintaining the level of response to COVID-19. The steep increase in cases means the amount of effort required has increased substantially at the same time that the state’s data systems (Opera/ORPHEUS/Arias) have become overwhelmed and inaccessible during regular business hours. 

Changes are made with a goal to maintain LCPH contact with all cases and contacts and to focus resources on high-risk individuals and outbreaks.  Primary reductions are to the number of outreach attempts to each individual, reduced data entry, shorter interviews and increased utilization of community based organization to support individuals in quarantine/isolation with necessary resources.

Surge Protocol summary:

·         LCPH will make 1 call/text within 24 hours and send a letter with 48 hours of notification.  (Change is reduction of 3 call attempts to 1 call attempt)

·         Case Interview Questions are focused on high –priority questions (change from standard protocol questions to high-priority questions)

·         All close contact as uploaded as the Opera system allows with emphasis on Contacts of Concern including High-Risk contacts, household contacts and school-aged contacts. (Change from All Close Contacts entered in Opera to an emphasis on contacts of concerns and data entry on others as Opera allows)

·         Business, school and congregate living notifications – no change

·         Contact Monitoring – responsive monitoring for all with some active monitoring for high-risk contacts (reduced outbound calling to monitor throughout quarantine)

·         Community Based Organizations for wraparound service (added during surge)

·         Wrap around services prioritize food and pharmacy needs.  Respond to other needs as able.  Utilize resource guide and community based organization for individual support. (change from LCPH providing necessary supports)

·         Outbreak investigation- OHA surge list plus others determined to be high-risk (change from standard protocol)

Every person who tests positive for COVID-19 will receive a letter explaining how to safely and effectively isolate at home for the duration of their infectious period.

When you get tested, please make sure your contact information (mailing address and phone number) are current and up-to-date. That way our letter will arrive quickly to your home.

Your medical information is protected by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). All staff and volunteers who are serving as contact tracers have received HIPPA training. Information collected during contact tracing is stored on secure servers that are only accessible to approved Public Health officials.

We will also not identify you as a possible exposure point when we call your potential contacts. They may be able to make an educated guess, but Lane County will not confirm that information. You may choose to identify yourself to your contacts if you prefer.

When a contact tracer reaches out to a potential contact, they will ask several questions to confirm your identity (name, date of birth, address). They will also ask for information regarding your gender and ethnicity, as well as your workplace.

Contact tracers will also ask if you’ve had any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and others. If so, they will ask when you first began feeling sick and for how long.

Finally, contact tracers will ask whether you need help accessing resources during your quarantine.

Lane County and its contact tracers will not ask for your social security number, banking details or financial information. There will be no requests for payment. If you are contacted by someone who tells you they are a contact tracer, but asks for this kind of information please do not provide that information.

Lane County and its contact tracers will not ask for your immigration status and will not share information with immigration authorities or law enforcement. The information gathered will be used only by public health officials.

Please review the Quick Links (below on mobile devices - above right on desktop and tablet devices) for quarantine and isolation resources.

Lane County Public Health may provide a case manager who can connect you with area non-profits and organizations to help.

This may include assistance with groceries, prescription pick-up, and infection prevention supplies (e.g., thermometers) as well as filing for unemployment, applying for health insurance, applying for utility assistance, and more.

Lane County may also be able to provide a safe place for community members to isolate.

View the Quick Links to the right (below on mobile devices) or the above "Resources for Community Members" section for a list of resources.