WATCH: Gov. Baker Urges Use of Community Tracing Collaborative

Yesterday in a press conference, Governor Baker reminded Massachusetts residents the most important thing that they can do to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is stay home, and the second it to participate in the Community Tracing Collaborative.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, along with Partners In Health, has created the COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative. The program focuses on reaching out to the contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 patients to help others who have been potentially exposed to the virus. When the MA COVID Team calls, you can do your part by answering the phone and providing helpful information that will help flatten and reduce the curve in Massachusetts.

Why your help matters

People in Massachusetts have been reaching out to ask what they can do to help during the COVID-19 crisis. Through what’s called contact tracing, we are reaching out to everyone who tested positive and people who have been exposed. We are proud to be the first state in the nation to initiate contact tracing and your participation is critical to our shared success. Contact tracing is your way to impact the lives of many in our state and beyond and help stop the spread of COVID-19

What the Community Tracing Collaborative is

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, along with Partners in Health, has created the COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative. The program focuses on reaching out to the contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 patients to help protect others who have been potentially exposed to the virus. The COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative’s goal is to keep you healthy and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Your participation in contact tracing will not only help connect you to medical support and resources, answering the call will keep your loved ones and community safe.

How community tracing works

First, if you test positive, the state will connect you with the support and resources, you may need through quarantine. Then with your collaboration, the COVID Community Team will identify and reach out via phone and text to anyone you’ve been in contact with to trace and contain the onward spread of the virus. Through this contact tracing, we will be able to better arrange testing, as well as medical and quarantine support for yourself and your loved ones. It is important to note that we will not release your name to anyone. Your information is strictly confidential and will be treated as the private medical record it is.