The Ionia County Health Department will be using new software to help with COVID-19 case investigations beginning Nov. 16, according to a news release Thursday.
More than 800 cases have been identified in the county since Oct. 1 – and health department staff can’t keep up even while working at full capacity.
As a result, not all positive cases of the virus are being investigated in a timely manner, the health department said.
“If you test positive for COVID-19, you may not get a phone call from the health department,” said Ken Bowen, an Ionia County health officer. “Unless you fall into a high-risk category based on age or type of employment, you will receive a text or email with a link to an online survey. We are asking all Ionia County citizens to fill out this survey if they receive it.”
The new survey will ask about things like symptoms, onset date of symptoms and close contacts.
It should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Health department staff will review the information provided and reach out to ill individuals “as needed.”
Filling out the survey will be required for those who want or need an isolation quarantine letter for their employer.
