Hundreds recruited for launch of test and trace

AROUND 600 people have been recruited as contact tracers for the Welsh Government’s test and trace plan set to launch this Monday, NHS Wales’ chief executive has said.

Speaking at a Welsh Government coronavirus briefing yesterday afternoon, Dr Andrew Goodall said this number would need to be expanded if cases of the virus increase.

Asked whether there were 1,000 people in place for the ‘test, trace, protect’ plan, Dr Goodall clarified that the number needed is based on the prevalence of the virus in the community. He said they will recruit in line with the demand, adding that “if the virus is on the increase, you’ll need to expand number”.

He said there is the possibility of teething issues, including the ability to hold some of the data, whether the call-handling facilities are in place, and understanding the differences in how to react in cities as opposed to rural areas.

Asked whether there will be penalties for non-compliance with contract tracing efforts, Dr Goodall said: “We want to work alongside the public so they understand the reasons and the rationale.”

He said the general approach would not be to issue penalties, adding that contact tracing was already taking place in the early stages of the pandemic in Wales and people were open and understanding about this.

However, he said the country has seen “a really important two or three weeks that we can see has genuinely contributed to an ongoing reduction of community transmission” as well as a reduction of patients in hospital and critical care beds.

As well as seeing a decrease in daily confirmed cases of the virus, he said the majority of people coming through the doors of intensive care are now being treated for non-Covid-related conditions.

In his press briefing, Dr Goodall reported that:

■■Fewer than 100 new positive cases were reported in Wales on Wednesday, a figure which has been in “steady decline” since April;

■■Many local authority areas are now reporting fewer than five new cases a day;

■■The number of people dying with Covid-19 has been falling since the middle of April.

Dr Goodall said most Welsh hospitals are reporting level-one status – the lowest level of pressure – while three of them were reporting level two yesterday morning.

Before the pandemic it was not uncommon for hospitals to frequently be operating under level three – and even the highest level, four.

He also highlighted that NHS Wales capacity is coping well with the outbreak, with around a third of acute hospital beds currently empty – around 2,200 beds.

However, he warned that demand in areas like A&E is beginning to increase again as “normal NHS activity” starts to resume.

The NHS chief executive also painted a positive picture of demand on intensive care in Wales.

He reported that:

■■The number of open and available intensive care beds in Wales was 354, including additional capacity; ■■Some 62% of these beds are currently empty and available for use if required;

■■The number of people being treated in intensive care who have coronavirus now stands at 44 – the lowest seen since March 27; ■■The majority of people being treated in critical care do not have coronavirus.

Overall, the number of people who have been treated in intensive care for the virus in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 506.

And fewer than 10% of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 are admitted to critical care. The Welsh Government’s initial projections at the start of the pandemic were that this figure would be much higher.

Other figures included: ■■56 – the average age of someone with coronavirus being treated in critical care; ■■75% – the percentage of people with coronavirus who are admitted to intensive care and mechanically ventilated within the first 24 hours; ■■11 days – the average length of time someone with coronavirus needs respiratory support in critical care;

■■85% – the percentage of people with coronavirus requiring respiratory support in critical care who received advanced support; 44% received basic respiratory support.

Dr Goodall said nearly 5,500 people have now been discharged from Welsh hospitals, including intensive care, after receiving treatment for Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

“Critical care staff have been at the sharp end of the pandemic and I want to thank them all for their exceptional efforts and for the care they have provided – not just at the peak of the pandemic, but every day to all those people whose lives depend on it,” said Dr Goodall.

Dr Goodall said there have been reports from clinicians about an increase in people with anxiety and people who presented later than they should have.

If you’re coming to an emergency department, he said, don’t be alarmed by people wearing PPE.

“They are wearing this for their protection and for yours,” he said.

Dr Goodall said he wants to continue to manage people’s health in the community as much as possible.

This will mean using digital technology and imaging capability, as well as signposting people to the best services for their need.