Contact tracing insufficient during current COVID-19 surge

Health departments across the United States are struggling to conduct effective contact tracing amid a steep rise in COVID-19 cases. Multiple factors have contributed to the inability of health departments to keep up, among them an inadequate number of trained contact tracers and suspicion and apathy among those infected or exposed. The problem is compounded now as many states have relaxed restrictions, allowing people to frequent bars and restaurants where they encounter larger groups. One Arizona county brought in the National Guard to help out, and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a desire to use federal coronavirus funds to increase the number of contact tracers in the state from 200 to 900. (Modern Healthcare story, 6/29/20)