You may have seen that the new NHS Test and Trace service has launched this week across England.
The service will help identify, contain and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. From today, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted through the NHS Test and Trace programme, and will need to share information about their recent interactions.
People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus. If those in isolation develop symptoms, they can book a test. If they test positive, they must continue to stay at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have passed. If they test negative, they must complete the 14-day isolation period.
Members of their household will not have to stay at home unless the person identified becomes symptomatic, at which point they must also self-isolate for 14 days to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.
People who are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service will be given clear information explaining what they must do and how they can access local support if needed. Guidance is also available online at gov.uk/coronavirus.
As part of this work, the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council has been asked to lead on how elements of this service can be developed locally and is currently working through the arrangements, which need to be place by the end of June 2020.