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            Forrest City Medical Center
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                  Contract Tracing Fraud Emerges as Potential COVID-19 Scam


                  Contact tracing is an invaluable tool in fighting the spread of COVID-19. Still, it’s also becoming a target for scammers looking to bilk victims of their money and personal information. Forrest City Medical Center (FCMC) provides facts and tips to help community members recognize the difference between public health officials and would-be criminals.

                  "Contact tracing is a way to help slow the spread of COVID-19 or any other infectious virus," explained Angela Vondran, Director of Quality Assurance and Facility Compliance Officer for Forrest City Medical Center. "However, people need to know how to distinguish between contact tracing calls and scams. If you receive a legitimate request from the Arkansas Department of Health, they will not ask for money or sensitive personal information. Instead, contact tracers will likely have details regarding the encounter related to potential exposure and the recommended next steps.”

                  An official contact tracing call may include:
                  • Notification of an encounter with a patient who has tested positive for COVID-19.
                  • Help with plans to quarantine or make alternate arrangements.
                  • Possible recommendations to schedule a COVID-19 test.
                  An official contact tracing call will never include requests for social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card information, or cash.

                  According to the Arkansas Department of Health, contact tracing allows public health officials to track infectious diseases. Once a patient gets a positive COVID-19 test, health officials ask the patient to recount where they have been and who they came in contact with while infectious. Health officials then contact those involved in the encounters and help them plan to safely quarantine or find alternate arrangements, and schedule a COVID-19 test if recommended.

                  The ADH currently lists two numbers that officials call from: 877-ARCOV19 (or 877-272-6819) and 833-CVD-2019 (or 833-283-2019). Officials stress that case investigators and contact tracers working with the ADH will never ask for a contact’s social security number, bank account number, or credit card information, nor will they ever ask for money.

                  According to health officials, the anticipated peak for COVID-19 is December. In the meantime, it is vital people continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols such as wearing masks in public spaces, remaining six feet apart and washing hands frequently.

                  “We all need to work together with health department staff to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Vondran said. “When you know how to distinguish between a legitimate and fraudulent call, you can be a part of the solution. Contact tracing for COVID-19 works in tandem with everyday preventive actions. Actions such as washing your hands often, avoiding close contact, and covering your mouth and nose with a mask when around others can slow the spread of COVID-19.”

                  Forrest City Medical Center is following current CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19, with ongoing disinfecting procedures in every area of the hospital, to give patients a safe environment of healing and recovery.

                  The hospital has isolation units for patients who test positive for COVID-19 and need hospitalization, providing the care they need while maintaining infection prevention efforts for staff and non-COVID-19 patients. FCMC also offers Telehealth visits in certain clinic settings where appropriate; an extra measure of comfort and safety for patients whenever possible.

                  “Our hospital maintains designated and separate care areas for COVID and non-COVID-19 patients,” Vondran said. “By isolating COVID-19 patients, we ensure that proper procedures are followed to protect the health of the non-COVID patients while providing the care and services they need. For those who are immune-compromised or are simply not comfortable being in public spaces, Telehealth visits are available through some of our clinics, primarily our family medicine and pulmonary clinics.”

                  For those looking to confirm whether a contact tracing call is legitimate, call 800-803-7847. You can report fraudulent activity to the Attorney General’s office at www.ArkansasAG.gov, by emailing OAG@ArkansasAG.gov.

                  For more information on contact tracing and fraud prevention, visit the Arkansas Department of Health website https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-contact-tracing.

                  *Source: Arkansas Department of Health; Centers for Disease Control.

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