Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination.
Learn more
Find the latest information:
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.
Contact Tracing Resources for Health Departments
Contact Tracing Resources for Health Departments
Resources for Conducting Contact Tracing to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
On This Page
Resources from CDC
CDC guidance for COVID-19 may be adapted by state and local health departments to respond to rapidly changing local circumstances.
Guidance Documents
- Prioritizing Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for COVID-19
These recommendations are intended to assist state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) health departments prioritize COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing activities. - Interim Guidance on Developing a COVID-19 Case Investigation & Contact Tracing Plan
This CDC interim guidance document is intended to assist state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments develop jurisdictional plans for the implementation and enhancement of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing efforts. Content will be updated as new information is available. - Case Investigation and Contact Tracing: Part of a Multipronged Approach to Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC’s basic principles of contact tracing to stop COVID-19 transmission.
Technical Assistance and Tools
- COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing – CDC’s Role and Approach [203 KB, 2 Pages] This document provides an overview of CDC’s role and approach to contact tracing for COVID-19.
- Contact Tracing: A Community Engagement Checklist for Health Departments
Keep these tips in mind when working with community organizations on contact tracing.
Español [132 KB, 3 pages] - Case Investigation Workflow [603 KB, 1 page]
This document is an infographic of the case investigation workflow for COVID-19. - Contact Tracing Workflow [510 KB, 1 Page]
This document is an infographic of the contact tracing workflow for COVID-19. - COVID-19 Contact Tracing Communications Toolkit for Health Departments
This toolkit provides health departments with sample talking points, public service announcements, graphics, social media posts and more for communicating about contact tracing for COVID-19. Also available in Spanish. - Enhancing Access to Vaccination Services This page describes how case investigators and contact tracers can provide vaccination support.
- COVIDTracer and COVIDTracer Advanced
A spreadsheet-based tool that allows state- and local-level public health officials and policy makers to compare between three different contact tracing/monitoring strategies. - Guidelines for the Implementation and Use of Digital Tools to Augment Traditional Contact Tracing [146 KB, 7 Pages]
This document is an update and expansion on previously published evaluation criteria. - Contact Tracing: Using Digital Tools [390 KB, 2 pages]
This technology guide serves as a companion to the case investigation and contact tracing workflows and describes how and where technology can assist in the processes. - Technical Assistant Note: Transferring COVID-19 Contact Tracing Records via Epi-X The document is a supplement to CDC’s Health Departments: Interim Guidance on Developing a COVID-19 Case Investigation & Contact Tracing Plan. The resource provides information on transferring COVID-19 cases and contacts between health jurisdictions.
- Contact Tracer’s Interview Tool: Notifying People About an Exposure to COVID-19
This is guide provides suggested communication approaches and steps for public health staff to create a script for contact tracers to tell people that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. - Case Investigator’s Interview Tool: Talking with People about COVID-19
This document is to provide suggested communication strategies for COVID-19 case interviews. - Key Information to Collect During a Case Interview
This document provides key information that should be covered in the case interview. - Overview of Contact Tracing
A brief summary of contact tracing and what to expect - COVID-19 Contact Tracing Training and Resources
Trainings for public health professionals interested in becoming a contact tracer or case investigator, as well as those who already serve in these roles and are seeking to improve their knowledge.
Additional Resources
- Prioritizing Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in High Burden Jurisdictions
This new guidance further refines prioritization recommendations and presents emerging modeling data regarding timeframes for effectiveness. - Prioritizing COVID-19 Contact Tracing – Mathematical Modeling Methods and Findings
This document presents emerging modeling data regarding timeframes for case investigation and contact tracing effectiveness.