Contact tracing involves searching out recent contacts of anyone who’s tested positive for COVID-19, and monitoring those contacts for symptoms and the potential need for testing and self-isolating. But once the first wave fully subsides — likely sometime in the summer — extensive testing and contact tracing should allow Canada to start re-opening its economy and lift some of the physical-distancing restrictions. The Public Health Agency of Canada said this includes assigning some federal civil servants to help provinces who need the extra staff. The second stage includes a volunteer recruitment campaign and “reaching out to faculties of health, public health, and science across the country to disseminate a call for interested individuals to register in the inventory,” the statement said. Technology will also play an increasingly important role in contact tracing, but Canadian health officials are still deliberating over the best course of action.

Source: National Post April 10, 2020 20:48 UTC