California's COVID-19 Contact Tracing Failed When Overwhelmed, CDC Study Finds
The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were very crucial in curbing the spread of the virus. Countries had a very limited window to limit the spread of the infection. Many began identifying travelers from high-risk countries as well as tracing who they may have come into contact with.
The state of California, U.S. largest state, sees thousands of travelers from Asia. They established a coronavirus contact tracing program as a critical measure against the health threat. The system was designed to help health officials identify possible coronavirus cases and quarantine them. The authorities would then contact the people who came into close contact with the victim to limit the spread of the virus. However, it was quickly overwhelmed by a surge of passengers.
Over 11,000 travelers from China and Iran landed in California in early February. All passengers were identified for contact tracing. Many tourists reported inaccurate or incomplete contact information. The system was also understaffed.
According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the various factors rendered the program ineffective. The study looked exclusively at data from California state. It claimed the traveler screening system was not able to effectively prevent the spread of the deadly disease into the state despite the intensive effort.
According to the report, the program began on February 5, weeks after Chinese health officials first reported the virus in Wuhan. Health officials abandoned the program on March 17 and shifted their focus on keeping the virus from spreading further within the state.
By mid-March, the COVID-19 disease gained a foothold in California. Authorities turned their attention to fighting the virus on the ground, putting less importance on preventing further introduction from overseas cases.
The report also said the program was effective only when all available information was accurate and ensuring the number of passengers did not overwhelm the system. Customs and border patrol officers were tasked of collecting the information of all passengers who arrived in California on flights from China and Iran. The names were given to California health officials who passed it to local health departments throughout the state.
The travelers would be contacted and asked whether they developed coronavirus-related symptoms. They would also be asked for the names of individuals they came into close contact with.
The C.D.C. report said incomplete information made it nearly impossible to fully institute the program. Many passengers were also not found.
The report also claimed the late implementation of the travel restrictions also contributed to the collapse of the program.
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed travel bans on tourists from China. California, however, still allowed roughly 40,000 passengers from China two months after the ban. Many went through cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A spokesman for the state's health department that traveler monitoring would have been useful if it was started early. He also claimed the authorities found it difficult to monitor the respiratory disease which has cases where symptoms do not arise.
The federal health agency urged the state government to implement the tracing program after the current outbreak is under control in preparation for another wave of the disease. The C.D.C also called on airlines to provide lists of passengers on their flights so as to maintain 'low disease incidence.'
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