RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Another layer has been added to an epidemic of complacency as health workers strive to turn back the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact tracers are running up against a wall of silence as they question those who test positive about their source of infection.

“Unfortunately, in many cases, the person who is contacted is not providing the information that is being sought,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside County Public Health. “This information is critical as we work to slow and eventually stop the spread of coronavirus. It is understandable that patients may be reluctant to discuss sensitive issues.”

Saruwatari stressed the information that is gathered is not shared with other governmental agencies or with those who are contacted by case investigators.

“We don’t ding people for being honest,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “We need to understand where our hotspots are so we can concentrate on those regions and sectors, and that can’t happen if we don’t find out what we need to.”

Meantime, health officials are repeating a plea: Wear a face covering, maintain social distancing and frequently hand-wash. The spread of the virus can be reduced by 95 percent, they said.

Story Date: July 17, 2020