Northern NY health department asks residents to self-manage contact tracing

ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. (WCAX) - With COVID cases at an all-time high, the health department in Essex County, New York, is changing the way it contact traces.

According to the director of public health, the Essex County Health Department is seeing a higher number of new infections each day now than at any time throughout the entire pandemic.

Now, they’re asking anyone who tests positive on any COVID-19 test to individually manage their own isolation or quarantine and reach out to their close contacts.

This switch to personal responsibility includes registering positive at-home tests with the health department.

Health officials say moving their focus from contact tracing will allow the department to focus on surveillance testing and initiating the new “Test to Stay” program in schools.

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