Waukesha County Launches Tool To Help Track COVID-19 Cases

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI— Instead of receiving a phone call regarding a positive coronavirus test, now certain Waukesha County residents will get a text message instead, according to a press release from the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services.

A resident between the ages of 23-59, will get a text message from the number "48355" beginning Feb. 1. This age group is lower risk for getting seriously ill from or spreading the virus, the release said.

The new system will impact the county's ability to keep schools and businesses open by making the contact tracing process easier.

“Not only will it simplify locating local cases of the virus, more people are likely to look at a text message than answer a phone call, so we expect to reach more people, as well," said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.

A person who tests positive will be sent either a text message or an email link to an online, confidential form to complete as part of the contact tracing process. Quarantine and isolation information will be available through links provided on the platform.

The county's use of text alerts and emails are part of a plan that will allow more efficient contact tracing efforts to continue through spring by reducing the number of staff needed to conduct contact tracing.

Utilizing automated messaging also has the potential to reach people who are more likely to respond to a text message or an email than to answer a phone call. Individuals who do not respond to the text message may receive a follow up phone call or a letter from Public Health, the release said.

People who are 60 and older or who are 22 and younger will continue to receive follow-up calls by disease investigators if they test positive.