Latest test and trace figures: CCN response

The latest NHS test and trace figures, published today, show that 57.6% of close contacts were successfully traced by the national system handling cases online or by call centres in the period October 1 to October 7.

In contrast, 97.7% of the complex cases handed to local teams have been traced successfully. Many of these teams will include local authorities, who have set up local test and trace programmes in addition to the national scheme.

The latest data is here – with page 26 containing the relevant information.

Below, the County Councils Network responds to the figures.

Cllr David Fothergill, health and social care spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:

“Today’s latest trace and trace figures show that councils continue to successfully reach virtually all of the complex close contacts of positive cases that were passed on by national teams.

“Centralised tracing efforts are no substitute for public health teams’ local knowledge and expertise. We urge the government to give local authorities the ability to take over trace and trace in their areas, rather than just the areas with the most severe rises in cases. In counties where the virus is spreading less rapidly, prevention is better than the cure.”