https://naccho.zoom.us/rec/pla...Contact tracing is a vital part of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response, as promptly identifying and isolating cases can interrupt disease transmission and reduce spread of SARS CoV-2. Local health departments have been leading this charge and have implemented a variety of strategies to manage ever-growing caseloads, including contracting, working with volunteers, and shortening interview scripts. Despite these efforts, the number of cases is increasingly difficult to handle and many LHDs may need to begin prioritizing case investigations and contact tracing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released recommendations to guide the prioritization process and support health departments’ abilities to implement the most impactful public health activities. NACCHO hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 11 from 2-3 pm ET to learn more about the prioritization recommendations and ask questions.
Participants heard a presentation from Dr. Melanie Taylor with the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, and had time to pose questions related to the prioritization recommendations. Melanie Taylor MD, MPH is a medical epidemiologist in the Division of STD Prevention at the National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is stationed at the Arizona Department of Health Services where she serves as the medical director of the Office of HIV, STD and Hepatitis C. She also serves as the medical epidemiologist liaison to the National STD Program of the Indian Health Service. She is a commander in the United States Public Health Service. She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her internal medicine residency, infectious disease fellowship and Masters of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. Topics of her recent publications include syphilis, congenital syphilis, and HIV.
Watch the recording here.
