DDPH launches new text message alerts, quicker notification of positive COVID-19 results

DELAWARE – The Delaware Division of Public Health’s Contact Tracing Team is taking a creative approach to getting those who test positive for COVID-19 the information they need.

Early this month, the department launched its text alert messaging program with a small number of cases to notify people quicker of their positive results.

Those with the Contact Tracing Team say the goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19 by starting the isolation process quicker. The initial message will prompt the user to reply with their date of birth, and once their identity is confirmed they can access internal DPH information from a separate link. Yet, we’re told results aren’t the only thing users will receive.

“About the COVID-alert app and how to get that and how to get vaccinated. We also have in there treatment options,” Director of the Contact Tracing Team’s Tracy Johnson said.

“It can give information on who they can call if they just don’t understand the text message and don’t want to communicate that way. There’s a number that we give and they can call and say hey I just received the text message here’s my reference number.”

DPH says they’re still gathering all the data to see how many people they’ve actually reached.

We’re told the text alerts do come with a secure code and that number to look out for if you do receive one of those texts is 37821.