The Winnebago County Health Department has received a sum of money from the federal government to improve its contact tracing efforts.
Publich Health Administrator Sandra Martell said $4.9 million will go toward hiring 51 temporary full-time employees for the effort. She says there will be a variety of positions, including clerks, disease investigation specialists, and epidemiologists.
Dedicated teams will address long-term care facilities, congregate settings, and other areas such as schools and childcare centers. The Department hopes to have the positions filled by June 30th.
Martell also encouraged area residents to fill out the census if they haven't already, as those numbers, she said, play a role in local funding allocations.