If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you’ve likely received a phone call from your local health department. Moving forward, you should instead expect a text message from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Citing the ongoing COVID-19 surge, IDPH has reorganized its contact tracing protocols, including taking over the burden of initial contact for positive cases. Since Jan. 14, all positive cases now go through a centralized system that automatically sends text messages and is supposed to prioritize higher-risk groups.
The text will contain a link (bit.ly/IDPHtracing) and a phone number (312-777-1999), asking the individual to contact the agency.