MORE TO GO IT ALONE ON THE TESTING
Councils say Government system doesn’t work & devise their own
MORE areas hit hard by Covid-19 are developing their own track and trace systems amid growing claims the Government’s one is flawed.
Three councils in West Yorkshire plan to introduce their own way of tracking down infected residents and their contacts.
Traders say it may be the only chance of saving their business.
The Government’s system is “not fit for purpose”, according
to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. The councils in Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford are now planning to implement their own track and trace systems.
Calderdale council leader Cllr Tim Swift, whose region has the sixth highest infection rate in England, said they hope theirs will be “up and running very soon”.
Bradford council said bosses are in talks with the Government, while Kirklees council is in “the very early stages”.
It follows concerns about the speed and effectiveness of the £10billion national system after a report this week revealed only half of contacts are being traced.
Kirsty Ferridge, 50, who owns The Albion pub in Bradford, said she would have to shut down the boozer for good if she is forced to close again due to another full lockdown. The Government announced last week the city was among the places to have to go into partial lockdown.
Greater Manchester, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Calderdale and Kirklees were the others.
Local authorities in eight of the worst-hit areas in England have now launched or are planning to launch their own track and trace schemes.
Blackburn and Darwen council’s public health boss said the national one was “simply not tracing enough cases and contacts fast enough”.
The local systems will include tracers knocking on doors as well as phoning people. Special envoy to the World Health Organisation, Dr David Nabarro, said it was “absolutely” the right move to have more locally run track and trace systems.
It comes as Preston in Lancashire was warned it is “days away” from lockdown after its infection rate more than doubled in a week. It now has the 10th highest rate in the country. The Government claims it is contacting 81% of Covid-positive people each week and reaching 75% of their contacts.
Local Government minister Simon Clarke said the NHS Test and Trace programme “is delivering” but that “there’s always more to do”.