Mauians train to aid during pandemic UH-DOH program equipping health workers, residents to trace, do outreach

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2020/06/mauians-train-to-aid-during-pandemic/

Eleven Maui health care professionals and two community members are training to become another kind of essential worker that’s proven crucial during the pandemic — the contact tracer.

The Maui residents are participating in the University of Hawaii and state Department of Health’s contact tracing program, which began earlier this month and has drawn interest from more than 1,300 people across the state. While not all are eligible, the response has shown a growing interest in the field.

“I knew we would have a lot of interest. I don’t know that I knew it would be this high,” said Dr. Aimee Grace, director of health science policy for UH and the principal investigator and administrator of the program. “We’re thrilled at the response from across the state and greatly appreciate the community rallying to help with our state’s COVID-19 response. It’s been really inspiring.”