The new NHS Test and Trace programme has now been rolled out, to help us move towards a more normal time.
The move will ensure we keep making progress in easing the lockdown while continuing to keep the virus under control.ย
The Governmentโs successful ramping up of testing capacity has allowed us to take this step forward.
๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ซ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronaviโฆ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐.
In this battle against the virus, we are all on the same side and we all have a part that we can play.ย
The 25,000 tracers working for England's NHS Test and Trace team have started and, if you or someone you have been in contact with tests positive for Covid-19 henceforth, you may get a follow-up (via text, email, or phone call) from the tracing team or the local public health team.
Anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus - a persistent cough, fever or a sudden loss of taste or sense of smell - must isolate for seven days and the rest of their household for 14 days. If the test comes back negative, everyone in the household can go back to normal.
The programme is designed to allow national lockdown restrictions to be replaced with individual isolation, allowing the vast majority to get on with their lives in a much more normal way, and could enable the national and local Governments to effectively manage local lockdowns to tackle flare-ups.
You can read more about the Governmentโs Test and Trace programme via the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works.