BALTIMORE, md. — Baltimore city launched a new campaign to encourage people to answer contact tracing calls. Contact tracing helps with slowing the spread of the coronavirus by notifying people they may have been exposed, so they can quarantine and not pass it to others. However, in the city, it appears not enough people are participating.
"We need people to pick up the phone and answer honestly. Don't be ashamed. If you were able to go out and be out and someone you came in contact with Covid let us know. Because it could save their life, it could save your life, someone that you know's life. Share that information don't hold back," said Mayor Brandon Scott.
Some people say they haven't done contact tracing because they don't want to give out their personal information or just don't trust the government. Scott stressed contact tracing is safe for you to use. Advertisements for the Baltimore Versus Covid campaign address these concerns.
There are more than 29,000 cases in the city, more than 600 people have died in the city from impacts of the virus and there are more than 350 people in the hospital battling Covid.
"Our hospitalization rates remain worrisome...with ICU's at close to 90 percent capacity, and our acute care capacity shortly there behind it at 86 to 87 percent," said Letitia Dzirasa, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner.
Despite this concern, Dzirasa said there was a slight decrease in new cases and the metrics are somewhat encouraging. That's something they want to continue to see so you're urged to still wear your mask and properly social distance, even during the holidays.
Scott asks you to limit holiday gatherings to only people you live with. The current order only allows 10 people or less inside together and 25 people or less outside together.
