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New statistics covering the first 7 days of operation of
the new NHS Test and Trace service have been published today.
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Over the coming weeks, this data will be integrated with
those from other parts of NHS Test and Trace to provide an
end-to-end view of the service that follows the journey taken
by people accessing NHS Test and Trace. This will include both
the numbers of people engaged and the speed of the journey
through the service, including data on test turnaround
times.
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This approach is supported by the Office for National
Statistics and UK Statistics Authority who are working closely
with NHS Test and Trace on the development of this weekly
release and the wider granular approach to data in the
programme.
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The first set of data covering the first 7 days of
operation shows that:
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67% (5,407) of the people who had tested positive for
coronavirus were reached by our contact tracers and asked to
share details of their close contacts.
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85% (26,985) of close contacts were reached and advised
to self-isolate.
Health Secretary
said:
“NHS Test and Trace is a new service on a scale never seen
before, designed to help us control and contain this virus, and
save lives. Backed by our rapid expansion of testing across the
country, the new data shows how we are already helping to stop
the spread of the virus with thousands of people booking a test,
isolating and sharing their recent close contacts.
“The service is key to helping us to return to a more
normal way of life. We need everyone’s support and collaboration
to ensure that we can continue to keep infections
falling."
Executive Chair of NHS Test and Trace, Dido Harding,
said:
“NHS Test and Trace is here to support the re-opening of
society and a return to a more normal life for us all. The data
published today shows us that the system is working, and tens of
thousands who previously could have unwittingly spread the virus
will now remain safely at home, as lockdown begins to
ease.
“I want to thank the British public for embracing NHS Test
and Trace. There is still more to do - we need to scale and speed
up our efforts even further in order to control the virus and
move from a system of national lockdown, to a more localised
approach with local action taken where necessary.
“It’s heartening to see all of us individually and
collectively taking responsibility for keeping the virus at bay.
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.”
