Responding to the publication of the latest NHS Test and Trace and coronavirus testing figures, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“These worrying figures show that the national test and trace system is failing to track down all those who need to be contacted, to help stop this second wave.”
“By contrast, local public health teams are continuing to reach the vast majority of complex cases assigned to them, with 97.7 per cent contacted and asked to self-isolate.”
“Rising coronavirus cases across the country mean that we all now, more than ever, have a responsibility to get ourselves tested when needed and for sharing our contacts on request.”
“Councils are taking the lead by launching their own locally-supported contact tracing arrangements, to complement the national system, but they need clearer, more precise information on who they should be trying to contact as soon as possible.”
“This should include details such as occupation and workplace, working with police and others to share local intelligence, alongside the right resources including funding and recruiting extra personnel to work on the ground and respond quickly to outbreaks.”