Contact tracing has been used for decades by state and local health departments to slow or stop the spread of infectious disease. At CU Boulder, the Public Health Office has a team of trained case investigators and contact tracers that work in partnership with our local public health agency to support students, faculty and staff.
Case investigation and contact tracing has shifted to align with community needs as the pandemic shifts. The public health office, in partnership with local and state public health agencies, continues to offer case investigation and contact tracing services upon request and as needed to reduce the spread of disease.
It is important to note that conversations with case investigators and contact tracing team members are confidential.
What is a contact?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a close contact as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
Examples of close contact for students: