Responds to criticism by Sen. Taylor who calls lack of testing follow-up “unacceptable”
A Black state lawmaker’s criticism of procedures utilized by the city health department to contact residents who may have been in contact with COVID-19 infected persons are misplaced and display a lack of cognizance to federal limitations, the head of the health department explained Tuesday.
Responding to criticism by state Sen. Lena Taylor that Milwaukee’s health department fails to contact relatives and friends of COVID-19 victims for tracing purposes, Commissioner Jeannette Kowalik says her department makes multiple attempts to contact infected individuals, but is restrained by federal laws and safety concerns.
“The Milwaukee Health Department makes every, and all attempts to follow-up with individuals who have a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19,” said Kowalik in a statement responding to Taylor’s charge.
Responding to a recent news report that a number of Milwaukee residents and families who tested positive, or had a family member succumb to COVID-19 haven’t been contacted by the health department, Taylor called the department’s reported failings “unacceptable.”
In a press statement, Taylor implied the department has yet to contact associates of the city’s first casualty, Lawrence Riley, who passed away more than 40 days ago.
“It is impossible to believe that not one of the 19 city workers or additional staff offered by the state, has made their way around to talking to a single member of his family,” stated Taylor.
The senator, who recently lost her bid to replace incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett, said there is an assertion that contact tracing hasn’t happened because people don’t answer a phone call because it shows up private or with an unknown number. Taylor said such an excuse isn’t good enough.
“The Riley family has said that not a single family member has received a call or message from the Milwaukee Health Department,” said Taylor.
“I’m assuming there is a record of the contact attempts. If so, the health department needs to provide them to the Milwaukee Common Council on a regular basis.”
Kowalik explained the health department attempts to contact “cases” (individuals who have tested positive for the virus) and close contacts by phone at different times for a minimum of three consecutive days.
If those efforts are unsuccessful, the department mails letters to the individual(s). “As you can imagine, home visits are not possible at this point in time due to capacity and safety issues,” the commissioner said.
Kowalik acknowledged there have been times the department hasn’t been able to reach an individual who tested positive because their phone number(s) aren’t current, and there has been no response to voice mail, letters and texts.
When this happens, the MHD will then resort to contacting hospitals for medical records to obtain information about emergency contacts, power of attorney, or other means to get information.
“We recently addressed another longstanding issue with the health department calls because they have always come up private,” Kowalik added.
“We do know that many people do not answer private calls even if messages are left so we are removing that barrier so you will see that the city of Milwaukee is calling.”
Kowalik said the method used for case investigations, contact tracing (the list of people that have been in close contact with the “case”) and contact attempts is in accordance with federal and state guidance.
Kowalik said she appreciates Taylor’s concerns, however due to the health risks to staff, there are federal HIPPA privacy laws, which forbid staff from discussing specific health issues with family members, even if they are in the same household.
When the department’s staff ask cases for information regarding their close contacts, they go from two days before to when their symptoms started through infectious period (up to 14 days after the first day of symptoms).
“Now we know cases can tell others that they have COVID-19 and we have seen this even on social media,” Kowalik stressed. “Regardless, the health department is not allowed to say who the cases are due to federal laws.”
Kowalik encouraged individuals with questions to contact the department’s hotline (414-286-6800) or dial 211, or visit their updated website for the most current information: www.milwaukee.gov/coronavirus.
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