Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Johnson defends ailing Test & Trace
BORIS Johnson has failed to explain why outsourcing firms are still in charge of the NHS Test and Trace system, claiming it was “improving”, even after contacts reached hit a new low.
Just 59.9% of close contacts of people who tested positive were reached in the week ending October 28, down from 60.6% the previous week. In contrast, local public health teams traced 97.9% of contacts.
But at a No10 press briefing when asked by the Mirror why outsourcing firms were still in charge, the PM said: “Clearly it has taken too long for people to get their results sometimes, but they are improving.
“It hasn’t had as much impact as we would’ve wanted.”
Hospitals are buckling as 30,000 NHS staff are off sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19, leading to calls for more testing.
NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens said absences were having “an impact” amid reports of overcrowded hospitals.
In parts of the North of England, 50% of staff absences are linked to Covid-19. Greater Manchester’s health chief said the NHS there was in a “very, very worrying” situation.
More than 500 staff are off work at Staffordshire’s main hospital trust due to the virus.
Sir Simon said people were twice as likely to die from Covid if they it at the same time as flu.
People in England can now be fined £200 if they are caught trying to go on holiday.
The PM said the four-week lockdown in England would have a “real impact” and people would have “as normal a Christmas as possible”.