Centralized IDPH contact tracing begins Jan. 13; opt-in required for return-to-work letter

(Heart of Illinois ABC) - The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin a centralized contact tracing system on January 13 to address the high volume of COVID-19 cases.

Those who test positive will receive a text message from IDPH and individuals must answer to the text to opt into the state contact tracing system to receive a return to work letter, according to the Peoria City/County Health Department.

With the currently high volume of cases and with the shortened isolation and quarantine periods, a positive individual &/or close contact may not receive a return to work letter before their quarantine/isolation periods are finished and they can return to work.

The health department emphasizes that businesses need to be prepared for a possible delay or stoppage of return to work letters from contact tracers.

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