Since the beginning of the pandemic, Brenda’s team manages contact tracing for those who may have been exposed to coronavirus. The top priorities of her team are to make sure any potentially-infected individuals can safely quarantine, contact those who may have been exposed, and conduct daily wellness checks of everyone involved.

For those who test positive for COVID-19, there is an initial assessment, which includes a series of questions about the locations and people who may have been in contact with that individual. Her team contacts the individuals who are tested every day for at least 14 days to check on their wellness, determine if they are symptomatic, and follows up with others who may have been exposed to request that they get tested.

Brenda recounts a recent situation where one of her Community Health Representatives, took immediate action to get medical attention for a patient.

“We contact people who get tested or may have been exposed to coronavirus every day for a minimum of 14 days to check on their wellness,” said Brenda. “Recently, we called someone for their daily check-in, and they didn’t answer the phone. If you cannot get in touch with someone three times, we do a home visit. In this instance, our CHR found the individual was critically ill, and she had to call 9-1-1 to get emergency medical help. That is why contact tracing is so important. If we miss a day, someone’s life could be in jeopardy.”

Brenda understands the critical role her team plays in the Navajo Nation’s COVID-19 response and explains how and her “ladies” go above and beyond what is expected of them to ensure their patients receive the highest level of care.