Contact tracing activities are led by the local health department. At this time, many jurisdictions (including Multnomah County, where Reed College resides) have discontinued contact tracing activities due to limited resources and changes in the way COVID-19 transmits from person to person, which has made this disease prevention strategy less effective.
Students, faculty, or staff diagnosed with COVID-19 are instructed to notify anyone with whom they may have had close contact while potentially contagious (defined as physical contact within six feet of distance for a cumulative period of 10 minutes or more). If you have not been notified but believe you had close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19, please see the CDC’s guidance on isolation and quarantine, or reach out to Health & Counseling Services, Human Resources, or your healthcare provider for further guidance.
COVID-19 Case Response
When a new COVID-19 case is identified in a Reed community member, we have two important jobs: to support the individual with the positive test result and to prevent further spread of the virus. When alerted that a Reed student or employee has tested positive for COVID-19, representatives from Human Resources, the Health and Counseling Center, and Student Life collaborate to ensure that the positive individual is provided clear and timely instructions, is referred for the appropriate medical care, and is provided the resources necessary to complete their isolation period while minimizing the impact on their normal activities.