North Kent News

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is launching an online tool to assist in followups and monitoring of individuals who have had close contact with those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will provide support to the survey effort, according to a Health Department News Release. 

Another tool, dubbed the Patient Education Genius (PEG), is being implemented in partnership with Michigan software developer CoherentRX. It is intended to assist in collecting information from those who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

“While KCHD has used this tool on a limited basis over the past few weeks, the tool will be utilized on a larger scale in response to the recent increase in cases,” the release states. “KCHD has started using the TraceForce system staffed by volunteers from the MDHHS for monitoring of close contacts identified as being at risk for COVID-19 exposure.”

The process will begin when a person is identified as being positive for COVID-19. That individual will be contacted, either by text message or email. Those in the 18-to-70 age range will be asked to fill out a confidential electronic survey. Those under 18 or over 70 can expect to receive a phone call from KCHD.

Additionally, people who've tested positive who do not fill out the electronic survey will instead be called by a disease investigator.

Individuals who are contacted electronically by KCHD will also “be able to locate other information regarding isolation and quarantine and available resources to assist with meeting basic needs,” according to the release.

The primary response of anyone who has tested positive should be to stay home and avoid contact with others, which could lead to transmission of the virus.