QUICK TEST HELPS STOP THE SPREAD OF VIRUS
NHS Test and Trace brings together testing, contact tracing and outbreak management into an end-to-end service to help prevent the spread of the virus, protect local communities and save lives. It provides protection for family, friends, colleagues and the community, and is here to keep all of us safe and allow us to enjoy summer safely. We take a look at how the system is working and talk to one member of the thousands of team members about her experiences.
Everyone with symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how mild, can now get a free test and help continue the efforts to beat the pandemic and get our lives back to normal. The tests are quick, easy, generally pain free and will play a key role in stopping the spread of coronavirus. Everyone can play their part in tackling and restricting the spread of coronavirus by isolating if they show symptoms such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of sense of smell or taste. Once you have selfisolated, book a test as soon as possible, and if asked to do so, identify your close contacts. The quickest way for people to get a test result is to use one of the drive-through or walk in testing sites, with the majority of in-person test results received the next day after the test. Before an effective vaccine can be found for coronavirus, NHS Test and Trace is the most effective way of controlling the spread of the virus and is being used around the world alongside social distancing and hygiene measures. Data on positive laboratory tests is fed into the contact tracing system, which automatically contacts people with COVID-19 by text or email and invites them to log into the system and provide a range of information about where they have been and who they have met.
Before an effective vaccine can be found, NHS Test and Trace is the most effective way of controlling the spread of the virus.
People with confirmed COVID-19 will receive a phone call from a health professional if, for instance, they are unable to use the web-based system, they only have a landline, are under 18 years old or have not responded to emails and texts. If a person with COVID-19 works in or has visited a venue like a care home, school, hospital or prison this can be considered for escalation to a Public Health England health protection expert. Once the person with COVID-19 has inputted the details of their any close recent contacts, or a health professional entering details on their behalf, these contacts would themselves receive a text or email notification, explaining the need to self-isolate and inviting them to use the web-based system to receive further information. Once contacts log-in, it will provide them with appropriate health advice including what to do if they experience symptoms. Call handlers follow up any contacts who can’t be reached by text or email.