MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Health Department is going to begin sending text messages to people who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, an official said.
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Tuesday the system is intended to ensure the word gets to people who may have been exposed to the virus as quickly as possible.
The person infected with the virus will provide the cellphone numbers of the people who may have been exposed.
After receiving the texts, people will also receive calls from Health Department contact tracers.
“Our contact tracing team will help determine who gets these texts based on the exact situation,” Levine said during the state’s virus briefing.
The person will receive two short texts from the number 86911. The texts will be sent between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“If you do get a text, please know it is a legitimate and important message from the department of health,” Levine said.
(Copyright (c) 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)