SATX Population Health Advisory Committee

Volunteer community collaboration of stakeholders to provide advice and guidance on issues related to public health and the COVID-19 pandemic in San Antonio.

[Cherise Rohr Allegrini, PhD, MPH @CheriseRohr]

#epitwitter ?
When did Epidemiology become Demography?
Heard recently "We don't need to investigate previous cases because we already have enough demographic data."
1/

[Cherise Rohr Allegrini, PhD, MPH @CheriseRohr]

Thanks to @TIME's Abby Abrams for the chance to discuss how the tools for #HIV and #COVID19 control are similar: extensive #testing and #tracing, and the challenges we face in @COSAGOV, a community with many health disparities in our #Latino and #Black populations.

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

Back-contact tracing helps to identify new clusters and prevent them from spreading more.

[Natalie E. Dean, PhD @nataliexdean]

Overdispersion in action. In this church cluster, a single index case resulted in 53 (!) secondary blue cases. Yet, each blue case resulted in only a few tertiary cases. In fact, the median is 0 (note "35 additional people"). What are the implications for contact tracing? 1/3

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

Dismissing the importance of contact tracing is negligent. Contact tracing is essential to understand where the transmission is happening and to stop it. it's not just a notification of exposure.

[Dylan George @dylanbgeorge]

Yet more incredibly useful insights on contact tracing from @NPR and @c_r_watson.

What Contact Tracing Data Is Telling Us About How COVID-19 Spreads : Shots - Health News : NPR https://t.co/4HwDD11mVs

[Cherise Rohr Allegrini, PhD, MPH @CheriseRohr]

On 3/25 @PHACSATX shared the need to enhance contact tracing, particularly following up with close contacts to confirmed cases.
"The risk is greatest for persons who have/had prolonged close contact with a COVID-positive person."
1/

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

The failure to address long delays in test results and the failure to hire enough contact tracers leaves one option... #COVID19SA
https://t.co/LLbAL9vYqZ

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

"Local health departments were given the option to keep their own contact tracing systems or let the state do all or part of it. Most, including the largest ones in the state, have decided to keep it local."
https://t.co/TcSmPFDaHf

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

If you won't skip the get-togethers, at least wear a mask and keep 6 feet distance.
This includes family and friends!

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

In Texas, the number of deaths per day has increased 307% since June 1.
https://t.co/9aQeeY5FMU

[Ron Nirenberg @Ron_Nirenberg]

With teamwork, we will defeat this virus.

Mask up, San Antonio. Thanks, Coach!

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

"Official tallies of deaths due to COVID-19 underestimate the full increase in deaths associated with the pandemic in many states," according to researchers.
Approximately 55% of the excess deaths in Texas were unattributed to COVID-19.
https://t.co/kc9qZiYb8L

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

How COVID-19 spread across 9 different families and 8 different workplaces over 16 days after one family gathering.

This is why contact tracing is important!
https://t.co/kvbyxtkWY3

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

Wonder how state officials in Florida feel about this?

-Only 5 out of 27 Floridians called by CNN received contact tracing
-It's unclear how many contact tracers are employed in Florida
-The Florida Department of Health asks infected people to call their contacts on their own

[CNN @CNN]

Despite claims that Florida traces every case of Covid-19, a CNN investigation found that health authorities in Florida, now the nation's No. 1 hotspot for the virus, often fail to do contact tracing https://t.co/0ARtZ2p8mC

[CDC @CDCgov]

Contact tracing is essential to slowing the spread of #COVID19. If you have COVID-19, public health workers won’t reveal your identity to your close contacts, even if they ask. Help #SlowTheSpread of COVID-19: https://t.co/98jmUt3IGq.

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

Black and Latino Americans are dying at younger ages than white Americans.

"Health care providers should be encouraged to consider the possibility of severe disease among younger persons who are Hispanic, nonwhite, or have underlying medical conditions."
https://t.co/PpObhu8b3E

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

We have few tools to slow the spread of #COVID19. #ContactTracing is one of the them. You can help. #AnswerTheCall.

[Cherise Rohr Allegrini, PhD, MPH @CheriseRohr]

Our culture loves to blame the victim. So instead of sharing your information, you fear the stigma, or worse.

Your "crime" was visiting a friend, hugging a cousin, kissing grandpa. All things our culture celebrates, but things we need to avoid right now (or do more safely). 1/

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

When contacts of positive cases are informed that they have been exposed, they can stay home and avoid spreading to others.

This is known as contact tracing.

Sadly, some cities are not investing in the necessary staff/training.
https://t.co/mPOEdiezPM

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

INDIVIDUALS are responsible for social distancing, wearing masks, getting tested, and isolating/quarantining.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS should be responsible for contact tracing, in which they inform exposed individuals and offer guidance about testing, quarantine, and support.

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

@PuroPincheSA Thanks for sharing!

[SATX Population Health Advisory Committee @PHACSATX]

We 🧡 these flyers!

Contact tracing is crucial for cities facing a spike in cases and hospitalizations.

[Houston Health Dept @HoustonHealth]

Free contact tracing handouts are now available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese. #GetTested #ContactTracing #ProtectYourFriends #COVID19

Go here: https://t.co/YMHAVAK0OX