Test and trace misses 8,000 across Wearside
More than 250,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out in Sunderland since the NHS Test and Trace service began, new figures reveal.
Data from the Department for Health and Social care shows at least 254,900 Covid-19 tests were carried out in the area between May 28 and March 3, with a minimum of 21,123 returning positive results.
Over the nine-month period, 21,124 positive cases in the area were transferred to the system for tracing – with 39,230 close contacts identified but just 77.7% of those were reached and advised to self-isolate.
That means 8,725 people were not contacted or did not respond.
Nationally, 80.6% of contacts have been reached by the controversial system – which will cost the taxpayer £37m - since its inception.
Around 3.7million cases had been transferred to the test and trace system nationally by March 3.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee called on the Government to justify the “staggering investment” of taxpayers’ money – criticising it for failing to show the speed of the process from “cough to contact” and therefore not allowing the overall effectiveness of the programme to be judged.
They also urged the scheme – led by Tory peer Dido Harding – to “wean itself off ” reliance on thousands of expensive consultants and temporary staff, with some receiving £6,624 per day.
Defending the programme Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "It’s thanks to NHS Test and Trace that we’re able to send kids back to school and begin cautiously and irreversibly to reopen our economy and restart our lives."
Jobseekers across the North East are benefiting from a programme that gives them the opportunity to gain qualifications and pursue careers in the manufacturing and production sector.
The two-week Sectorbased Work Academy Programme(SWAP),organisedby the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered by Pin Point Training, provides those aged 19 and over the opportunity to start building a career through gaining industry qualifications, exploring career options and a guaranteed interview for a live vacancy.
Minister for Employment Mims Davies joined the participants to discuss how the programme is helping equip them with the transferable skills and knowledge to not only overcome interview and employment barriers, but to thrive in these fast-paced work environments.
She said: “It was great to virtually meet and chat to all the SWAP participants and hear how they’re exploring newcareeropportunities,and getting the start they need to be set-up for a better future.
“This has been a really challenging time for jobseekers across the county, but our Plan for Jobs is helping us to push to build back better.
“Already, we’ve boosted the number of SWAPs places to 80,000 and we’ve got the mix of employment programmes tohelppeoplefromallwalksof life get back into the jobs market and progress.”
The SWAP is delivered virtuallyandopentoparticipants who have been referred by their Jobcentre Work Coach.
The move online has had the added advantage of bringing together jobseekers from different areas – enabling them to share experiences, learn in tandem and form wider friendships and support groups.