Epidemiological investigation phone calls must be answered

Epidemilogical investigation is key to epidemic control, and information collected during the process can play a critical role in effectively containing the epidemic. The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday reminded citizens to calm down and not panic when receiving a phone call for epidemiological investigation.

Receiving such a phone call does not mean that the person has been infected. When epidemiological investigators visit homes or ask questions via phone or WeChat, citizens are requested to cooperate, carefully recall their recent travel history and answer truthfully, Shenzhen CDC said.

Currently, Shenzhen is fighting against the Omicron subvariant BA.5. Suspected COVID cases, confirmed cases, asymptomatic infections and those who have had close contact with the above personnel or have been jointly exposed to suspected contaminated environment or articles may be asked for epidemiological investigation.

According to the CDC, epidemiological investigators would ask for personal information, health condition, travel history in the COVID-hit area, residence history in the COVID-hit area, people who have had contact with an infected person, travel records, means of transportation and information useful for disease prevention and control.

During the process, citizens’ personal information and privacy are protected by law, and the personal privacy information obtained will be kept strictly confidential.

It is noteworthy that epidemiological investigators would not ask the following: questions irrelevant to the disease such as property, sending any QR code to scan, bank account number, password or verification code, promoting any products or asking for payment, asking for money transfer and conducting a so-called “fund verification” for any reason.

If residents have any questions about the epidemic, they can contact the health authorities or the community staff in their subdistricts for verification. In case of suspected fraud, they can call the national anti-fraud hotline 96110 for consultation, said the CDC.

In addition, if the number 12320 calls, citizens must answer it. It is not fraud, but it is a call from the community to verify epidemic prevention information.

If a person is identified as a close contact and needs to be quarantined, the CDC’s epidemiological investigator will first notify by phone to tell why he or she is deemed a close contact. The information asked is mainly to check personal information and confirm the person’s current location.

The person is generally recommended to stay put, maintain personal protection and try not to have contact with others. It is better to find a separate room, keep the phone on and wait for special staffers for the transfer.

ARTICLE FROM: Shenzhen Government Online