Latest Test and Trace statistics published

Statistics covering 25 June to 1 July of the NHS Test and Trace service have been published by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The data says that 91 per cent of in-person tests taken at regional test sites and mobile testing units were returned in less than 24 hours over that period, with 97.5 per cent returned the day after the test was taken.

More than 144,000 people who may have been at risk of unknowingly spreading the virus have been reached by the service and asked to self-isolate.

The Department of Health and Social Care has also announced that a new pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of asymptomatic testing for people in high-contact professions has been launched. This will include a select group of staff, such as taxi drivers, cleaners and retail assistants, to see if there is demand for testing amongst these kinds of workers, and how they are affected by the virus.

This targeted, asymptomatic swab testing will take place as part of a close partnership with government, local authorities and a number of employers, with tens of thousands of tests offered to selected groups.

Dido Harding, executive chair of NHS Test and Trace, said: "We are committed to continually improving NHS Test and Trace, to reach more people at risk of passing the virus on as quickly as possible. This week we have seen test turnaround times improve further, with the majority of positive cases reached by contact tracers in under 24 hours. Anyone with symptoms can easily book a test, expect rapid results, and will hear promptly from NHS Test and Trace if they are tested positive.

"I continue to applaud all those who have played their part, got a test after experiencing symptoms, and responded to the service. I urge anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow the advice they receive to protect their families and communities."