contact tracing

[ kon-takt trey-sing ]

noun

1. a public health measure undertaken to slow and eventually halt the spread of a disease that is transmitted person-to-person, in which people who have come in close proximity to or direct contact with an infected person are identified and monitored for signs of infection. These individuals, along with any of their contacts who manifest symptoms, are generally required to isolate themselves long enough to be treated, if necessary, before they can infect others.

   Rigorous contact tracing accompanied by widespread testing has proven effective in reducing deaths during an epidemic.

Other Words From

• con·tact trace verb (used with or without object)
• con·tact trac·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contact tracing¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

BBC News NI's education correspondent Robbie Meredith said that while, during the coronavirus pandemic, school principals were expected to assist the PHA in contact tracing and in keeping infectious children out of school, the threat of a fine appears to be a new measure.

From BBC

In the Missouri case, contact tracing interviews with the infected person "detected that the household contact had been symptomatic with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with a simultaneous onset of symptoms, implying a common exposure rather than human-to-human transmission," said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis the CDC’s Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at a media briefing.

From Salon

Rwanda said it was intensifying contact tracing, surveillance and testing to help contain the spread.

From BBC

Rwanda says it is intensifying contact tracing, surveillance and testing to help contain the spread.

From BBC

We are no closer to learning conclusively about the origin of COVID-19, nor steps the government can take to strengthen data collection, improve future testing and contact tracing, or address the racial and wealth disparities that were laid bare in that terrible time.

From Los Angeles Times