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VERIFY: This is how NC schools will complete COVID-19 contact tracing

According to the North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, school districts will work with their local health department for tracing contacts for COVID-19 exposure.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As North Carolina students gear up to return to the classroom full time, many districts across the state have mask mandates and social distancing protocols in place. 

But what happens if someone is exposed to COVID-19 at school? Many parents have reached out to WCNC Charlotte's VERIFY team asking about contact tracing and if they will be notified about possible coronavirus exposure at school. 

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THE QUESTION

Will there be contract tracing in North Carolina schools? 

SOURCES

THE ANSWER

Yes, according to the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit, North Carolina schools will work with local health departments for contact tracing. 

RELATED: VERIFY: What does 'full approval' of the COVID-19 vaccines mean?

WHAT WE FOUND

Mecklenburg County Public Health said it will be working closely with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to ensure contact tracing for any confirmed positive cases on campus. So what does that look like? 

The health department said school administrators and educators will provide information about close contacts according to guidelines established by the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The health department has a special COVID-19 school team made up of nurses and case investigators who will then work with school officials to complete contact tracing. 

Schools could use that to send a letter home to parents if their child is in close contact with a person with COVID-19.

Schools can also draft their own letter or email, call parents, or post on their COVID-19 dashboard.

RELATED: VERIFY: Answering parents' questions before North Carolina Students head back to school

VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit /verify.

Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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