Indiana’s contact tracers may be asking fewer questions, but it doesn’t mean the state is giving up on the process. During Wednesday’s press conference, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said switching to the shorter questionnaire led to a big increase in the number of people contact tracers were able to reach.
“The number of cases interviewed grew by 25 percent from the prior week,” Box said. “The total inbound and outbound calls at the central contact tracing operation were up 27 percent. The contact tracers are still having to leave a voicemail many times. So I encourage Hoosiers to answer the call when you see this number, 833-670-0067, pop up.”
The state contracted with an outside company to launch the centralized contact tracing operation back in May, but it struggled to keep up with the recent surge. The Starke and Pulaski County health departments have been looking into hiring part-time nurses to help with the process locally, and Dr. Box has been encouraging those who test positive to reach out to close contacts themselves.
Now, she says the state is on track to have 1,300 contact tracers in its centralized operation by the end of the year. Box added that responding to contact tracers is a way to help prevent further spread.
