Denver Public Health is working with the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to closely monitor COVID-19 in Denver. Get the latest updates and learn more about the symptoms, complications, transmission, prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

What is Contact Tracing?

Contact tracing, coupled with rigorous testing, can counteract a potential second wave and prevent cases from spiking again. Contact tracing is part of the overall function of case management in public health. There are three main components to case management:

• Interviews: Trained staff interview people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to determine who they may have been in close contact with during the time they were considered to have been infectious.
• Contact tracing: Staff then warn these individuals, or contacts, of their potential exposure as quickly and sensitively as possible. In order to protect patient privacy, contacts are only informed that they may have been exposed to an individual with the infection. They are not told the identity of the person who may have exposed them. They are offered resources and support.
• Contain: People who have had contact with a COVID-19 positive patient are provided with education, information, and support to understand their risk, what they should do to separate themselves from others, how to monitor themselves for illness, and the possibility that they could spread the infection to others even if they themselves do not feel ill. If a contact becomes symptomatic, the local public health department can be contacted to assist them in getting tested. If the contact tests positive for COVID-19, their recent contacts will be traced and informed, too.

The process continues until everyone who has been exposed is isolated from others to reduce virus transmission. It is very important that residents help the health workers by answering the phone. Health workers will not ask any private questions about finances or social security numbers.For more information about contact tracing, visit the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment website.

COVID Testing in Denver

Denver Public Health offers free COVID-19 testing at various community locations in Denver. Testing is offered to anyone regardless of insurance or immigration status, and no appointment or pre-registration required. Visit our testing page for more information, and to find a testing location near you!