• By Todd Luck
• Posted Monday, January 4, 2021

Text and email now used to reach people with COVID-19

State and local health departments are now using text and email to inform people they’re positive for COVID-19 or may have been exposed to it.

To notify people as quickly as possible if they have tested positive for or been exposed to someone with COVID-19, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in cooperation with Local Health Departments, has expanded how it contacts people. All residents who have provided cell phone or email addresses are now receiving an automatic text or email message.

Due to the rise in COVID cases, not all close contacts of a positive case will receive a notification, so it’s still important for those who test positive to contact their own close contacts.

People receiving a text or email will be directed to a secure website that provides additional information about how to protect themselves and their loved ones, how to get support if needed to safely isolate, and how to contact someone immediately for additional information.