During a briefing with local media Saturday afternoon, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein outlined the process of contact tracing to stop the spread of coronavirus. Having a sufficient number of people to do such tracing is one of the seven categories that must be met for Erie County to start the process of a phased in re-opening. The key to containing the virus is to find the people who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive. Burstein said there are specific guidelines.
"A close contact is someone they have spent considerable time with," Burstein said. "The minimum is 15 minutes and within six feet, without wearing a mask."
Burstein said those who have had such close contact would be quarantined and encouraged to get a test for COVID-19.
She said the county will have at least 270 contact tracers.