House Ways and Means Committee approves bill creating COVID-19 contact tracing program

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the Minnesota Ways and Means Committee approved legislation appropriating $300 million to establish a contact tracing, case investigation, and follow-up program for COVID-19 cases. The bill, authored by Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the House Health and Human Services Finance Division chair, represents the next phase of Minnesota’s public health response to the pandemic.

“The new testing partnership with Mayo Clinic and other providers is moving forward. Now we need the ability to effectively follow-up on the testing by finding people exposed to the virus and helping them avoid spreading the virus,” Rep. Liebling said. “Contact tracing is a key strategy to get our state back on track and move toward reopening our economy as quickly as possible.”

The program will aim to accurately and efficiently identify people who may have contracted COVID-19 and allow them to be isolated until the risk of contagion has passed. The Minnesota Department of Health will manage the program, but may hire other organizations to hire, train, and manage up to 4,200 temporary employees who could be needed. Hires could include furloughed health care workers, public health students, retirees, and volunteers. Continue reading “House Ways and Means Committee approves bill creating COVID-19 contact tracing program”