Almost 90,000 people have been told to self-isolate in first two weeks of NHS test and trace scheme – as data shows 25% of coronavirus-infected Britons STILL aren’t being tracked down
- Around 87,000 contacts were identified from a total of 14,045 Covid-19 patients
- Contact tracers have had to phone an average of two people per week so far
- One in 10 at-risk contacts could not be contacted by call centre staff
- And more than a quarter of confirmed Covid-19 patients couldn’t be reached
- Revised data has doubled number of people contacted in first week to 47,000
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Almost 90,000 people have been told to self-isolate in the first two weeks of the NHS test and trace scheme designed to keep a lid on the coronavirus outbreak.
Department of Health data today revealed that a total of 87,639 people have been contacted and asked to stay at home because they might have Covid-19.
The system has been up and running since May 28 and has had to trace people who have been in close contact with one of 14,045 confirmed coronavirus patients.
But thousands of people are still flying under the system’s radar, with tracers unable to reach 27.4 per cent of all at-risk contacts so far – a total 3,853 people.
And one in 10 of their contacts (9.4 per cent) were also unable to be contacted, meaning some 9,107 people were either unaware they might be infected or ignored contact tracing staff.
Statistics for the week from June 4 and June 10, published today, showed that 44,895 contacts were identified, meaning the army of 25,000 contact tracing staff had to phone, on average, two people each over the course of an entire week.
Dido Harding, who is in charge of the service, last week admitted it was ‘not perfect’ but would improve over time.
The data for the first week, from May 28 to June 3, has also been revised and the number of people contacted soared from just 27,000 to 47,000.
Tracers attempt to contact someone 10 times within the first 24 hours of receiving their details and use phone calls, texts and emails to try and get through.
More than a quarter of people diagnosed with the coronavirus could not be got hold of by contact tracing staff in the first two weeks of the test and trace system’s operation, Department of Health statistics show
Baroness Harding said today: ‘NHS Test and Trace is working to stop the spread of coronavirus and undoubtedly helping to save lives.
‘Building on our previous work, this week’s data shows that tens of thousands more people who may have otherwise unwittingly spread the virus are now remaining safely at home.
‘Our efforts continue to reach more people who may be at risk of passing the virus on, and I am grateful for the support the public has already shown to protect those around them.
‘We continue to rely on everyone to play their part and we urge those with symptoms to book a test immediately, and those contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service to follow the advice they receive.’
