Scheme complements national track and trace
ROYAL BOROUGH: A COVID-19 contact tracing service in the Royal Borough launched last week.
The council says it will complement the national NHS Test and Trace Service and form part of the council's efforts to 'reduce the spread' of the virus locally.
Royal Borough staff will operate the service and call residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 – but haven’t been successfully contacted within 24 hours by the national tracing service.
The local system may reduce the delay between a person testing positive and a contact tracing call successfully taking place.
Residents will be contacted by the council's tracing service on a local number.
They will speak to residents to identify anyone who has had close contact with them during the time they were infectious, as these contacts may need to self-isolate.
Local contact tracers will use data provided by the NHS Test and Trace service to contact residents.
If they are unable to contact people, they will leave a voicemail or text message.
Speaking on Tuesday, the council’s health lead Cllr Stuart Carroll (Con, Boyn Hill) - pictured - said the system had begun well.
"The launch has been smooth so far," he said, adding that it is still 'early days’ – with information about potential localised COVID hotspots coming to light more as the system develops.
"If you are contacted it is imperative that you follow the guidance," Cllr Carroll said.
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