Statistics from the eleventh week of operation (6 – 12 August) of
NHS Test and Trace show that the service has reached more than
272,000 people, helping to stop hundreds of thousands of people
at risk of unknowingly passing the virus on.
Where communication details have been provided, the service has
reached 88.6% of close contacts since launch or 81% of close
contacts overall.
Dedicated teams of contact tracers from NHS Test and Trace are
working with local authorities across England to reach contacts
in communities who have not responded to the service, especially
where there is high prevalence of the virus. New areas have
signed up to the scheme, with teams now in place in Leicester,
Blackburn with Darwen, Luton, Sandwell, Rochdale, Peterborough
and Oldham, with work ongoing to expand quickly to more areas.
Almost 4 million people have been tested during the 11 week
period, with the vast majority of tests conducted at in-person
test sites, with results delivered the next day. Many of the most
vulnerable, such as staff and residents in care homes, have
received multiple tests and the number of outbreaks and complex
cases in these settings remains low. Since mid-June the number of
people getting newly tested has increased by 52% with over
431,000 people newly tested in the latest week of statistics.
Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for
Health Protection, Baroness Dido Harding said:
“NHS Test and Trace is consistently reaching tens of thousands of
people each week who are at risk of unknowingly spreading the
virus. The system is there for us all. Testing and contact
tracing will help us control this virus, but only with your
support.
“I am hugely grateful to everyone who’s stepped up so far and
especially to everyone working tirelessly in communities around
the country to ensure that no one is left behind.
“It’s really easy and free to get a test – you can walk in, drive
through, or order one to your home. Please remember - if you
experience symptoms, however mild, you must get tested. If you
are contacted by NHS Test and Trace, follow the advice you
receive.”
NHS Test and Trace is also finding more people who have the
virus, with 6,616 people testing positive in the last week which
is a 27% increase from the week before. This is likely due to an
increase in hyper-local testing in areas where infection levels
have been rising and reflects the service’s mission to find
everyone who has the virus.
This week eight new local walk-through testing sites were opened,
including in Newcastle upon Tyne, Trafford in Greater Manchester,
Bristol and Southend-on-Sea. These are vital for making testing
as easy as possible in urban areas where many people do not have
access to a car.
It means there are now over 130 testing sites, including 38
walk-throughs, as well as 236 mobile units, and work is ongoing
to increase the number of labs processing test samples. The
latest Lighthouse Lab to be added to the network in Newport is
currently being constructed to provide additional capacity.
In total, since 28 May 2020:
- More than 272,000 people have been reached by NHS Test and
Trace.
- Where communication details have been provided, the service
has reached 88.6% of close contacts.
- 78.4% of people who have tested positive have been reached
Notes to editors
In the last week new walk in centres have opened in:
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Trafford
- Bristol
- Southend-on-Sea
- Coventry
- Wolverhampton
- Portsmouth
- Bedford
