Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Contact Tracing Social Story
Animated Social Story
Overview
This resource includes an animated video, social story and print overview of contact tracing in Pennsylvania. This includes information about the process of contact tracing is and why it is an important part of limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. This resources also explains who contact tracers are and why they may contact you.
Social Story
We are all taking steps to limit the spread of COVD-19. We wear masks when we go out in public and we practice social distancing.
Another important step that our state government is taking to help keep us safe is contact tracing. Contact tracing has two main goals.
First is finding out who has COVID-19.
Second is telling anyone who was in close contact with that person while they were contagious that they were near a COVID-19 positive person.
This is important because you may have been exposed to the virus and not know it. Not everyone has symptoms.
After you know you have been exposed then you should stay home. This will help limit the spread of the virus.
Now you know what contract tracing means. But what exactly will happen if a contact tracer calls you?
Someone who is in charge of contact tracing is called a contact tracer. They will only reach out to you if they have to.
A contact tracer will call you for one of two reasons. You could be someone who has COVID-19. Or you could have been around someone with COVID-19.
If you have COVID-19, they will ask you about everyone you have been around while contagious.
If they call you and tell you that you have been around someone who is infected, they will tell you how to get tested and check yourself for symptoms. You can choose to get texts, emails, or calls every day asking how you are feeling and if you are having any symptoms for the 14 days after your exposure.
They will also tell you to stay home and quarantine for 14 days. It is important to continue social distancing too. They can also connect you with services you need while you are staying home.
If you are contacted, be completely honest. Everything you tell them is private.
A contact tracer will ask you for things like your birthday, address and phone number. They might also ask you if you have already been tested for COVID-19.
A contact tracer will never ask you for information not about COVID-19, like bank numbers, passwords or photographs.
This is free. So a contact tracer will never ask you for money.
If you want to make sure that the person contacting you is a real contact tracer, call 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).
For more information about contact tracing, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/ disease/coronavirus/Pages/Contact-Tracing.aspx
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6 Things to Know
Contact tracing means finding out who has COVID-19 and telling anyone who was in close contact with that person while they were contagious.
Someone who is in charge of contact tracing is called a contact tracer. First, they will call you. Then they will ask if you want a text, email or to be mailed something in the future.
A contact tracer will call you for one of two reasons.
- You could be someone who has COVID-19
- You could have been around someone with COVID-19
If you have COVID-19, they will ask who you have been around while contagious. If you have been around someone infected, they will tell you how to get tested, check for symptoms, and to stay home and social distance for 14 days.
Everything you tell them is private, and this process is free. So a contact tracer will never ask you for money.
If you want to make sure that the person contacting you is a real contact tracer, call 1-877-PA HEALTH.
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.