COVID-19 contact tracing: country experiences and way forward: meeting report

Abstract

Contact tracing has been a cornerstone of countries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it remains a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality. Although the pandemic is not over, many countries are transitioning towards a more sustainable and integrated approach to the COVID-19 response. Contact tracing systems are adjusting and need to be adapted further to reflect this change in the long term. This meeting on COVID-19 Contact Tracing jointly organized by WHO/Europe and ECDC was held online on 1 March 2022. The meeting brought together COVID-19 Contact Tracing experts from 39 countries and territories from the WHO European Region, including 24 European Union (‎EU)‎/European Economic Area (‎EEA)‎ countries. The full list of participating countries is in annex 1. The meeting focused on two key topics: (‎i)‎ experiences, challenges and solutions related to COVID-19 contact tracing, and (‎ii)‎ how contact tracing can be better integrated in health systems strengthening and pandemic preparedness planning moving forward. Two breakout sessions were organised to allow all countries the opportunity to actively engage in discussions related to topics above.