Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a new contact tracing campaign called “Baltimore vs. COVID” today. The campaign comes as a surge of COVID-19 continues in the city.

Scott says the campaign aims to get more residents to answer contact tracing calls from the city and state health departments. 

“We need people to pick up the phone and answer honestly. Don't be ashamed,” he said at his weekly COVID-19 press briefing. 

The mayor said that as of today, 603 city residents have died so far of COVID. 

Will Smith, senior manager of the city’s contact tracing program, said that contact tracing could not be successful without the cooperation of residents. He stressed that contact tracing is a secure process. 

“We are the health department, and the only reason we need this information is to help you, help your family and your friends from becoming sick and also help those that are sick,” he said. 

Contact tracers will show up on residents’ phones as MD COVID or 240-466-4488.