Tracing positive cases less successful in more deprived areas

The Health Foundation has reported that a smaller proportion of positive coronavirus cases and their contacts are reached by NHS Test and Trace in more deprived areas than in less deprived areas. 

The analysis found that among the most deprived group of local authorities in England, 83 per cent of positive cases were reached as compared to 86 per cent in the least deprived. The Health Foundation says that the difference was greater when it came to reaching the contacts of those who had tested positive – 56 per cent were reached in most deprived areas as compared to 62 per cent in the least deprived. 

This means that that between 28 May and 18 November, an additional 9,000 positive coronavirus cases and 42,500 contacts would have been reached in the most deprived group of local authorities in England if they had had the same success rates as the least deprived.

Adam Briggs, Senior Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation, said: "There may be many possible reasons why a lower percentage of people are reached by NHS Test & Trace in more deprived areas, but the information available doesn’t enable us to understand this in more detail. Knowing why people in more deprived areas seem to have less contact with NHS Test & Trace is crucial to ensuring the system isn’t inadvertently widening inequalities, particularly as Covid-19 already hits vulnerable communities hardest.  

"Policies need to be developed to improve engagement with contact tracing, and to help people to isolate when necessary. This may include better use of local expertise and knowledge, and addressing any gaps in available social, practical, and financial support for people isolating."