In Flanders, 700 contact researchers have started today – people who call a person infected with Covid-19 and ask who they have been in contact with. Those people are called in hopes of quickly curbing a revival of the coronavirus. Similar teams have started in Wallonia and Brussels.
“And have you already been tested?” “What was the result?” and “you’re infected. Oops. That’s too bad!” The conversations are conducted in a soft tone. Dozens of people are sitting in an office garden in an industrial area in Brussels. After a few days of warming up, there are now 700 working in Flanders. “We can scale that up to 1500 if necessary,” said Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon, who is being shown around the call center.
The system was set up in a short time – in Flanders and Wallonia. Health insurers (unlike in the Netherlands, these are associations and not commercial companies), an organization consultancy, call centers and the Ministry of Health are conducting the discussions. “From whatever center you receive a call, you always see the same number on your display,” explains one of the supervisors, “this is how people know that the call is genuine.” The first fake calls have already been reported.
In the office, the walking direction between the desks is indicated by arrows, the temperature is measured for everyone when entering and mouth masks are mandatory – also for visiting ministers and journalists.
People who have been diagnosed with an infection are asked to sing in an hour’s conversation. Who have they been in contact with, where and for how long? “We do not pass that data on to other bodies such as the police or benefits agencies,” said Minister Beke of Care and Welfare. “We want the fairest possible answer to contain the virus, and people’s privacy must be guaranteed.” Contacts are also not told from whom they might have the infection.
Once the contacts of an infected person have been mapped, they will also be called. If the contacts have been intensive, she is asked to stay at home. Otherwise, it is recommended to pay extra attention to the hygiene measures. “If you experience symptoms, however vague, contact your doctor immediately,” one of the employees advises someone over the phone.
“This is an essential part of our exit strategy,” said Jambon. “We want to avoid having to go back to lockdown when the virus resurrects.” However, people cannot be forced to answer honestly or be forced to stay at home if they receive that advice. “We are not a police state, but we appeal to the citizenship of people. If they cooperate, they can help prevent the measures that we just relaxed today by opening the shops again. should encourage everyone to behave responsibly! “
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