Public Health in Practice (Nov 2020)

COVID-19 contact tracing: The Welsh experience

  • Diana Bright,
  • Graham Brown,
  • Richard J. Roberts,
  • Simon Cottrell,
  • Ashley Gould,
  • Amrita Jesurasa,
  • Philip Daniels,
  • Llion Davies

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100035
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1
p. 100035

Abstract

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Objective: Contact tracing is one of the key public health response actions to control the outbreak of a novel virus. This paper describes the preparation process, activation and operational experience for contact tracing of individuals in response to confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wales. Study design: A descriptive approach has been adopted and lessons learned from our initial public health response to COVID-19 will be used to develop a new operational model for contact tracing in Wales. Methods: As part of preparations for the response in Wales, Public Health Wales formed a Contact Tracing Cell (CTC) ready to be mobilised in the event of a confirmed case. Results: Trial activation of the CTC during the preparation period helped to resolve some issues before ‘real’ activation. A highly flexible approach was needed due to the constant changes to the guidance that required rapid understanding, updates to pathways and clear communication to contact tracers. Conclusions: Our experience and recommendations may benefit future efforts to control the spread of the virus in Wales and elsewhere, particularly in supporting COVID-19 outbreaks in enclosed settings such as care homes or in geographically localised areas. Learning from the initial public health response to COVID-19 will guide the delivery and implementation of a new contact tracing model as we move to a later stage of the pandemic when containment measures become feasible in localised outbreaks. This may include scaling-up the CTC to mobilise contact tracers to local teams and the potential use of digital technologies to support the next operational model of the CTC in Wales.

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