Contact tracing is the identification, monitoring, and support of the individuals (contacts) who have been exposed to a coronavirus patient and possibly infected themselves. Testing and contact tracing are vital containment strategies, and after direct questioning, all four witnesses said directly that they have not been asked to slow down testing. 

Admiral Giroir emphasized, “the only way that we will be able to understand who has the disease, who is infected and can pass it, and [how] to do appropriate contact tracing is to test appropriately, smartly and as many people as we can.” 

Viability of new coronavirus treatment

Questions came up regarding a viable treatment for the virus. Dr. Fauci highlighted the positive strides the public health community has already made. These strides include hopeful results of a new drug, Remedesivr, which will be entering stage 2 trials in July. 

When asked about the possibility of using convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19, Commissioner Hahn stated that the trials are ongoing but we “should know the results soon.”