Thursday, November 21, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Monday, March 30, 2020
COVID 19 Source Tracing: The Devil is in the Details
By News Release @ 10:19 PM :: 2327 Views :: COVID-19

DoH: Current Situation in Hawaii

 

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

From Hawaii DoH, March 25, 2020

Inside the COVID-19 case investigation process with State Epidemiological Specialist Myra Ching-Lee.

“Tracing the origins of a positive COVID-19 case is much like trying to solve a crime,” says Myra Ching-Lee, one of the Hawaii Department of Health’s (DOH) most experienced epidemiological specialists with more than 25 years on the job.

When the DOH Disease Investigation Branch team receives test results from private labs, the real work for its disease detectives begins, piecing together information about a patient’s case. We asked Ching-Lee to explain some of the tricky, difficult work involved in tracking down the vital details of a person who tests positive for COVID-19.

When COVID-19 test results come back positive, what steps are taken right away? ​

A member of our team is assigned to the report and initiates an investigation. We confirm the lab result and diagnosis with the physician, identify any health care professionals who may not have taken proper precautions in evaluating the patient, contact and interview the patient, and determine the source of the infection. We also try to determine any contacts relevant to the case in order to minimize further spread of the virus. “Contact tracing” is a critical component to containing the spread of this illness in the community.

What is the most difficult of these steps and why?

Determining the risks of the exposure to others, in addition to contacting various persons to get accurate and timely information, can be difficult. We realize people want to know the full history right away, but this process takes time to get it right.

What’s a COVID-19 misconception you want to correct with Hawaii residents? 

The idea that it only affects older people or that younger people shouldn’t worry about contracting it is a fallacy. Everyone has the potential of getting infected with COVID-19. Thinking you are not at risk only puts those most vulnerable to the disease in greater danger of becoming ill.

What has given you the most hope thus far in your work on the COVID-19 situation in Hawaii?

​The fact that Hawaii has an incredible team of thousands of health care workers across the state tirelessly looking out for the best interests of our residents and communities is encouraging and comforting. Here at DOH, we have a very experienced, passionate team working daily and, in some cases, around the clock to ensure our community is safe. As each day passes, we’re seeing even greater collaboration from the public and private sectors, all focused on the same goal of ending the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We’ll get there by continuing to work together going forward.

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii