In-person Covid testing continues to deliver results

The sixth week of NHS Test and Trace figures shows that anyone getting a test at a regional test site or mobile testing unit can expect their result by the next day.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care data, over 155,000 people who may have been at risk of unknowingly spreading the virus have been reached by the service and asked to self-isolate. The majority of those testing positive were reached by NHS Test and Trace to identify their contacts in less than 24 hours.

It also shows that 96.4 per cent of people tested in person at regional testing sites and mobile testing units received their tests the day after the test was taken.

Statistics on the number of tests carried out on care home staff and residents since the pandemic began show that by 8 July, more than a million tests had been carried out, including as part of regular and routine testing in care homes.

Overall the data from the sixh week of operation (2 July – 8 July) of NHS Test and Trace shows that: 78.7 per cent of the people who had tested positive for coronavirus and were transferred to NHS Test and Trace were reached by contact tracers and asked to share details of their close contacts. This compares to 78 per cent in the previous week; and 71.1 per cent of close contacts were reached and advised to self-isolate. This compares to 71.6 per cent in the previous week.

Dido Harding,  executive chair of NHS Test and Trace, said: “Each week there have been sustained improvements in NHS Test and Trace to reach more people and help stop those who may have been in contact with the virus unknowingly passing it on. We have made testing and tracing quicker and more accessible, and we remain committed to develop the service further over the coming months.

“I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people across England who are getting a test if they had symptoms, responding to the service if they tested positive, and listening to advice to self-isolate if they have been in contact with the virus. I continue to urge anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow the advice they receive to protect their families and communities.”

Paulette Hamilton, vice chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Those testing positive for Covid-19 have a responsibility to help halt its transmission and protect those most at risk. It is good that the majority of people testing positive are being reached and are passing on details of their close contacts.

“Council public health teams remain ready to use their unique expertise, including speaking other languages, and understanding of their communities to try to reach those who cannot be contacted by the system. They need information on who they should be trying to contact, including the 618 people who could not be reached most recently. More information is being shared with councils but it is vital that this data is available daily. With the right powers, flexibilities, data and long-term funding, councils can help to manage potential outbreaks and prevent the spread of infection.”