Contact Tracing Experience in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic in Qatar from April 2020 until June 2021

Background: Case investigation, quarantine, and contact tracing are vital in controlling COVID-19 transmission. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of the Ministry of Public Health's (MOPH) contact tracing team in preventing COVID-19 nationwide. Methods: We conducted a SWOT analysis of contact tracing team's performance from April 2020 to June 2021, evaluating their workflow, reporting system, lab test data, team efficiency in the field, and organization. Results: During this period, 707,934 swab samples were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals: 388,815(54.9%) through contact tracing and 319,119(45.1%) through surveys. The daily swabs collected ranged from 1500-4000. On February 28, 2020, Qatar reported its first COVID-19 case. In the first week of March, MOPH team was divided into teams for case investigation and contact tracing, expanded 12 times in number. The MOPH provided extensive support to healthcare workers, including logistical supplies and updates on COVID-19 guidelines through MOPH website. However, staff faced multiple challenges. They worked 16-18 hours/day, 7 days/week, leading to fatigue/exhaustion. Many close contacts and symptomatic patients hesitated to get tested or move to quarantine; many had poor compliance with home isolation and quarantine measures. Some refused to sign an undertaking and comply with MOPH guidelines. Conclusion: The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and the MOPH have taken strategic measures to communicate and deliver information effectively, build community trust, encourage participation in contact tracing, and provide social and financial protections. These measures have successfully controlled COVID-19 infection. Qatar and Singapore were the only countries with a fatality rate below 0.1%.