Covid 19 Update: Test and Trace

The important "test and trace" system has been launched today

 

Norfolk has been chosen as one of 11 pilot areas which will play a very important part in the country’s efforts to use testing and tracing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

 

Under this new system, anyone who receives a positive test for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions with colleagues, friends and family. Anyone identified as having been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not show symptoms, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.

 

The Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “As we move to the next stage of our fight against coronavirus, we will be able to replace national lockdowns with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks. NHS Test and Trace will be vital to stopping the spread of the virus. It is how we will be able to protect our friends and family from infection, and protect our NHS”.

 

If you develop coronavirus symptoms, you should order a test immediately at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 if you have no internet access. If your test is returned positive, you must self-isolate for 14 days and you will be sent a link to the NHS test and trace website, where you will be asked to create a confidential account where you can record details about your recent close contacts. If you do not have internet access or if you do not complete the online process, one of our contact tracers will phone you to gather this information from you.

 

For more information and instructions on the NHS test and trace system, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works.

 

As always, if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me by emailing chloe@chloesmith.org.uk, or calling 01603 414756